Nitrates get into Bowker Creek through garden and road runoff containing plant fertilizers. As there are few nitrate free fertilizers, a way to reduce the nitrate levels in the creek would be to control the amount of fertilizers used near the creek. If this problem were to be fixed, there could be enough dissolved oxygen for salmon. 

Could the salmon get through the tunnels at Bowker Creek? Most of the tunnels would be easy for the salmon to swim through; the only problem would be the sloped tunnel under Fireman's Park. The angle of the tunnel would prevent salmon from swimming up it. For salmon to swim through the creek, a small fish ladder must be put in this tunnel.

The planning of Bowker creek's plants was very thorough, as it needed to be a) aesthetically pleasing, b) Help filter toxins out of the water and c) discourage invasive plant growth.

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.