Rubber duckies return to Bowker Creek this weekend in an Oak Bay High bid to raise awareness and a little cash.
“It will be just a really fun event for kids,” said Environment Club member Sunny Lin. Alongside the face painting, a bake sale and crafts, students will lead walking tours, outlining the work done to rejuvenate the creek.
The $448,883.22 second phase of the Bowker Creek Initiative project to rejuvenate the waterway adjacent to the school officially opened March 1. The first phase of project included extensive student and community engagement to develop the detailed design for the site. Students in the Environment Club wanted a hand in celebrating the opening as well, dubbing this weekend’s event the Bowker Creek Opening Celebration.
“It’s a chance to bring the members of the community down,” said Ruby Tang.
“And raise awareness about the revitalization of the creek,” added Adrienne Graham.
They expect it will raise some funds, which would go toward stewardship of the creek, said Lin. Oak Bay High classes plan to monitor effects of the revitalization through class work and the Environment Club. All four girls agree it’s mostly about awareness, and they’ll lead the pack, offering walking tours the same day.
“We’re here to start a conversation and show off our beautiful creek restoration,” said Isabella Lee. “It’s just all about learning.”
They know and appreciate the rarity of a creekside classroom.
“Especially an urban waterway that’s been restored,” said Graham.
Ducks will race April 23 during the event that runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. While they’re still sorting out the race route in Bowker Creek, the yellow birds cost “two ducks, five bucks,” available race day.
Did you know?
Sunny Lin was part of a group that studied the creek before restoration, and travelled to the Netherlands in October.
A second group of students heads back to the Netherlands in June for the Water is Life Conference. This group is set to present a project focused on the ecological effects of the Bowker Creek restoration project to a conference of 40 schools from around the globe.