Tsawout First Nations

The Tsawout First Nation, whose main village is at the mouth of the Creek, is actively monitoring water quality and is planning habitat enhancements. In the past Sandhill Creek has been a productive cutthroat trout stream and in 2002 & 2003 was host to spawning coho.

In the Sandhill Creek watershed

Stewardship group

The Friends of Sandhill Creek, a community stewardship group, was formed in June 2006. The group's interests span a host of issues including invasive species removal, riparian areas and creek channel restoration. While they are a new group they have already held several invasive species removal events, a creek walk and helped to plant student grown alder trees in Sandhill Creek Park.

Sandhill Creek Watershed

Gas Spill Threat

Sandhill Creek was threatened by a gas leak in late 2005. Read the press:
Times Colonist
Peninsula News Review

Backgrounder

Sandhill Creek is part of one of the largest watersheds on the Saanich Peninsula. It has several tributaries with headwaters near Bear Hill Park in the south and Dean Park in the north. Sandhill creek largely runs through agricultural and residential areas before emptying into Saanichton Bay.

Much of the creek has been impacted upon by human uses including agriculture, residential development and the Keating Industrial Area. However, several portions of the creek exist in a more natural state. This includes the portions of the creek running through the Tsawout First Nation Reserve and Heritage Acres as well as smaller sections located within Cooper Ridge, Sandhill and Adam Kerr Parks near Keating Cross Road.

In the Press

Owl in Sandhill Creek watershed
Sandhill Creek watershed resident