By OB H
The issues surrounding Bowker Creek such as plastic entering the creek and the water quality, among other things, have significant impacts on life in the creek. With great efforts, we can reduce the amount of litter in the creek and improve overall water quality. This will create a better environment for not only the students using the learning space, but the entire ecosystem of the creek.
By OB H
Volunteering for community cleanups and being more aware of our ecological footprint can help keep Bowker Creek clean. Making sure you don’t litter into the creek and disposing of your garbage in the correct place will make a big difference. Teaching students about the importance of keeping the creek clean will have significant benefits in terms of reducing waste in the creek. The organisms in the creek will thank you!
By OB H
Keeping Bowker Creek clean will have a multitude of aesthetic and recreational benefits. The outdoor classroom near the creek serves as a learning space for the students of Oak Bay High and provides a unique learning experience that not many other schools can offer. The diverse ecosystem gives students a chance to further their understanding on how biodiversity affects an ecosystem, and the effects invasive species can have on native species. Residents of Oak Bay also enjoy walking their dogs or biking on the trail and seeing the clean, vibrant space.
By OB M
When the decomposers decompose organic material and organisms, they contribute in bringing nutrients into the soil, continuing the nitrogen and carbon cycles. Bacteria also contributes to the phosphorus cycle returning phosphorus needed by animals to the soil and water, that plants absorb.
By OB M
The insects in Bowker Creek provide food for many of the animals as well. The stickleback fish eats plenty of insects. Some insects pollinate, helping flowers and plants grow, some are scavengers and decomposers, eating dead organisms and plants, and contribute to making topsoil full of nutrients, which help plants grow.
By OB M
Bowker Creek has many animals that are beneficial to its ecosystem. There are ducks and newts, birds, racoons and small rodents. They all contribute to the balance and biodiversity of the creek and help in decomposition, the nitrogen and carbon cycles.
By OB M
Many of the plants found in Bowker Creek provide food for other organisms in the ecosystem. These consumers include animals and insects. In the Riparian zones along Bowker Creek you can find many hydrophilic plants.
Bowker Creek is located in a Coastal Douglas Fir bioclimatic zone which means that some of it’s natural plant species include the douglas fir, nootka rose, and herbaceous plants like ferns and other perennials.
By OB H
Although Bowker Creek is a small freshwater stream, water quality conditions prevent a diverse fish population from thriving.
Improvements such as controlling the treatment and drainage of water from high traffic areas in recent years will significantly improve the water quality. Runoff from the roads can pollute the water with unwanted debris.
Filtering the runoff before it enters the creek and reducing illegal littering will also contribute to the cleanliness of the creek.