2024

Our ongoing Martin Brook project

• 18 volunteers celebrated Earth Day by removing a lot of garbage from Firehall Creek in Langford.

• 250 native trees were donated to BWHPA to repot for future use in restoration projects. Volunteers also repotted hundreds of plants from our propagation workshop in 2023 and watered them through the summer.

• New signs were installed along Lily Creek and Firehall Creek to let everyone know that these are sensitive habitats.

• We hosted the second half of the Streamkeepers course, taught by staff from Peninsula Streams Society

• BWHPA held its annual general meeting where two special guests, Nan Brown and Ron Ptolemy, were honoured for their contributions to the watershed.

• Our educational program at Lighthouse Christian Academy continued for two semesters. Students removed invasive species, learned about healthy fish habitats, planted native species along Parkdale Creek, and shored up an unstable creek bank.

• BWHPA members collaborated on a fish survey and flow monitoring assessment on Metchosin Creek and the mainstem of Bilston Creek.

• BWHPA members have identified environmental issues to authorities and are working with the District of Metchosin and the City of Langford regarding development in the watershed.

• Two creek assessments were commissioned on sections of Hewitt Creek in Metchosin and Firehall Creek in Langford to provide guidance on future restoration projects.

• BWHPA had booths set up at the Luxton spring fair, Metchosin Day, May Day for Mother Earth, and Luxton fall fair events to spread the word about protecting the watershed.

• Our water monitoring and testing program has been extended throughout the watershed.

• Native plants were used to replant a section of Pritchard Creek that had been impacted by development, with some of the plants coming from our propagation workshop in the fall of 2023.

• We’ve been successful in receiving grants which is helping to significantly expand our scope of work.

• Over 250 trees, shrubs and perennials were planted along Martin Brook to help shore up the banks and provide some shade for Coastal Cutthroat Trout.

Students surveying Parkdale Creek and the eroding creek bank

Signs have now been installed on sections of Lily Creek, Firehall Creek, and Pritchard Creek

Our grateful thanks to the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC, Habitat Conservation Trust, the BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure and Sean Wong, BC Ministry of Forests, BC Timber Sales members Kona Van Diest and Cassandra Ennis, Arbutus Grove Nursery, Capital Regional District Parks Department, the City of Langford, Don Mann Excavating, Metchosin Farmers Institute, Metchosin Fire Department, Lighthouse Christian Academy, Tran Sign, Flower Power U-Pick, Excel Contracting, Sue Pollard, Ron Ptolemy, Greg Wilson, Wendy Mitchell, Bonnie Farris, and all our members and volunteers for their support!