Bowker Blueprint Update: “Watershed Moment” in BC’s Capital Region Connects the Future with the Past
Flagship Project in Oak Bay Demonstrates Commitment to Restoring Watershed Function
Working Towards a Common Vision
“This flagship project will transform a section of Bowker Creek from a degraded, highly urbanized creek into a naturally functioning water environment. This is a huge catalyst for moving forward and seeing the fulfillment of the watershed vision that is outlined in the Bowker Creek Blueprint,” states Jody Watson, Chair of the Bowker Creek Initiative.
“With the recent acceptance by all three partner municipalities of the Bowker Creek Blueprint: A 100-year action plan to restore the Bowker Creek watershed, moving forward with the flagship Oak Bay High project is a true ‘watershed moment’ for the creek and the community. It will be a wonderful example of how a long-term coordinated plan to restore function to a degraded watershed can happen, piece by piece, and when opportunities arise, when we work together towards a common vision.”
“It’s a watershed moment, because it connects the future to all the work that was done in the past,” notes Soren Henrich, who represents the Friends of Bowker Creek on the BCI Steering Committee.
“In local government, we have seen what works and what doesn’t. The Bowker Creek Blueprint is the outcome of a landscape-based and action-oriented process. It is a truly integrated plan to restore watershed function over time: Agree on the vision. Set the targets. Provide municipal staff with the detail necessary to guide site level decisions as opportunities arise. Then implement,” concludes Jody Watson.
TO LEARN MORE:
To download the news release about the funding announcement by Infrastructure Canada, click on Oak Bay to rehabilitate and transform section of Bowker Creek.
The Bowker Creek Blueprint demonstrates how major breakthroughs happen when decision makers in government collaborate with grass-roots visionaries in the community to create desired outcomes. To learn more, click on Bowker Blueprint Update: “Watershed Moment” in BC’s Capital Region Connects the Future with the Past.
In February 2010, the Bowker Creek Forum attracted provincial attention to the precedent-setting nature of the Bowker Creek Blueprint. To access the “homepage” established on the Waterbucket website for this transformational event, click here.
