One of the conditions of Bowker being renovated was that Oak Bay High school would need to take some responsibility in the maintenance and use of the surrounding area. This led to the creation of the outdoor classroom, which is essentially an amphitheater. Its main use is for quick meetings centered around ecological topics.  

Bowker Creek before any kind of restoration

To begin the restoration, the existing plants needed to be removed. Many invasive species of bramble and blackberry bushes were destroyed, leaving a barren riverbed. 

 Native plants help use less pesticides. It is said that over 70 million pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns in a year. These chemicals run off into rivers and lakes, causing a big problem with clean water and aquatic life. 

 many people chose to plant native plants when starting a garden because of the benefits they provide. Native plants develop their own defensive systems, driving away pests, diseases as well as invasive plants. This is why people choose to plant native. 

 Native plants, as well as being low maintenance, can provide many benefits to the ecosystem. It creates vital habitat for important wildlife. Plants like the ocean spray (grown in victoria) gives us beautiful scenery which we value and protect. 

 Humans, depend on plants for regular things we take for granted everyday. Clothes, building materials, paper, perfumes, cleaning supplies, and medicines. Without the native plants to provide us these products, human economy and life would not be as we know it today. 

 What if society did not have the habitat that the native plants provide for our wildlife? The animals depending on these plants for food and habitat would struggle to survive. This would knock the food chain out of place, resulting in decreasing populations of the native plant depending animals.