Volunteer Fourth Fridays - Trail Building
2025-09-26 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-10-24 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-28 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Vancouver)
On the Fourth Friday of the month, join us for trail building, across different GCA properties! This is a great opportunity to learn more about trail building techniques from our knowledgeable staff while helping to build and maintain the network of hiking trails.

Please get in touch to let us know you’ll be joining us! The morning volunteer session is from 9:30 am to noon; the afternoon session is from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Feel free to join us for either or both.

Quadra Hill Open House
2025-09-27 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
Come see the new Quadra Hill property on a guided hike, review the draft stewardship plan, share feedback, ask questions and enjoy light refreshments! Please be aware that the Quadra Hill nature reserve has no washrooms or running water, and all dogs must be on a leash.
See schedule below!

1pm– A moderate guided hike to see different areas of the property.
Location: Meet at MLC 12:45pm to ride the community bus to the site (Melissa and McCoskrie neighbours are welcome to meet at the end of Melissa Rd)
1:45pm- Community bus returns to MLC for presentations.
2pm– Open House at MLC classroom. Staff and board members will be present with displays and light refreshments.
2:30pm– Draft stewardship plan presentation by staff.
3pm– Community members are invited to ask questions and provide feedback on the draft stewardship plan.

We hope to see you there!

Volunteer Thursdays in the Food Forest
2025-10-02 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-09 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-16 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-23 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-30 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-06 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-13 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-20 10:00 - 14:00 (Asia/Shanghai) and 4 more dates | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
Every Thursday, you have the opportunity to join our Sustainable Food Systems coordinator Cedana Bourne, and our dedicated team of interns and volunteers in the GCA’s Food Forest. These 4-hour sessions will help you learn about all aspects of plant care, in the company of like-minded individuals who care about the environment, collaboration and creating a healthier world. You will get hands-on experience with soil building, composting, watering, harvesting, propagating, potting, etc. within a small nursery setting. Please bring sun protection, water and food, and dress appropriately. We hope you join us!

Volunteer First Friday - Nuts'a'maat Forage Forest
2025-10-03 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-07 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-05 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
Every First Friday of the month, join us in the Nuts’a’maat Forage Forest to help tend to this unique ecocultural restoration garden. Activities include planting, weeding, harvesting, trail maintenance, and ecological monitoring. This is a great opportunity to learn more about traditional edible, medicinal, and fiber plants from our knowledgeable staff while contributing to the growth and development of a native forest garden.
Please get in touch to let us know you’ll be joining us! The morning volunteer session is from 9:30 am to noon; the afternoon session is from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Feel free to join us for either or both.
This site is easily accessible from the parking area of the classroom facility at the Millard Learning Centre, so it’s a great place to get an introduction to our restoration program.

Volunteer Second & Third Fridays - Ecological Restoration
2025-10-10 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-10-17 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-14 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-21 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-12 09:30 - 15:30, 2025-12-19 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Vancouver) | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
On the Second & Third Fridays of the month, join us for hands on Ecological Restoration projects! This is a great opportunity to learn more about our ongoing restoration work from our knowledgeable staff while learning more about the GCA owned and managed properties on Galiano.

Please get in touch to let us know you’ll be joining us! The morning volunteer session is from 9:30 am to noon; the afternoon session is from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Feel free to join us for either or both.

WILDLIFE DANGER TREE ASSESSOR (WDTA) COURSES
2025-10-21 08:00 - 2025-10-24 16:00 (America/Vancouver)
We are offering two upcoming Wildlife Danger Tree Assessor (WDTA) courses on Galiano Island!

Gain valuable skills in identifying wildlife trees and ensuring worker and public safety through two modules that focus on Forestry and Parks & Recreation. Each module will be held at the Millard Learning Centre, and is delivered through UNBC Continuing Studies. The GCA will provide free camping at the Millard Learning Centre classroom facilities for all participants.
Course details below:

What: WDTA Forestry Module
Where: Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island

When: October 21st & 22nd, 2025

Cost: $525

Credential: Certification for 4 years
Identify wildlife trees and implement the necessary steps to ensure worker safety and habitat protection

Click here for the Forestry Module course details and registration.

What: WDTA Parks and Recreation Module

Where: Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island

When: October 23rd & 24th, 2025

Cost: $525

Credential: Certification for 4 years
Ensure worker & public safety and habitat conservation in the recreational setting.

Click here for the Parks & Recreation Module course details and registration.

Indigenous Drum-Making Workshop
2025-10-25 13:00 - 2025-10-26 15:00 (America/Vancouver) | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
In this two-day, hands-on workshop, Sandy Morris (Tsartlip) and Charity Morris (Ahousaht) of Morris Drum Making lead the full drum-making process, guiding you through crafting your own 14″ ceremonial drum. On Day 2, Marvin Wilson (Hartley Bay) join the workshop to support drum decorating and painting, helping you personalize your finished instrument.
Drum making is more than a craft—it’s a way of deepening cultural connection, building relationships, and celebrating traditional knowledge. By participating, community members not only learn valuable skills but also strengthen the cultural foundations that support Restoring the Balance (RTB)’s vision Indigenous-led stewardship. The drum, often called the “heartbeat of the people,” symbolizes the unity, resilience, and renewal that the Restoring the Balance project seeks to bring to Galiano’s forests, wildlife, and people.
The cost for the workshop is $175 (per drum/family), and local Indigenous participants can receive a full bursary through the GCA. Click here for a link to the workshop registration form, or email RTB@galianoconservancy.ca to request a bursary.
Schedule of events below:
Day 1 – 1:00PM – 3:00PM: Crafting your own 14” drum using traditional methods.
Day 2 – 1:00PM – 3:00PM: Painting your drum with either your own design or a traditional Coast Salish design, provided by Marvin Wilson.
This community event was made possible through the financial support of the Ecclesiastical Community Impact Grant, and Gencon Foundation

Feed the People 2025
2025-11-01 08:00 - 2025-11-02 17:00 (America/Vancouver)
Registration is open for the annual Feed the People workshop! Join esteemed Penelakut & Galiano Island Elders for a weekend workshop at the Millard Learning Centre on how to process deer for local food resilience.
Please note that registration fills up quickly. Click here for a link to fill out the registration form!

Day One: Saturday, Nov 1– From Forest to Freezer – Full DayLearn how to skin, debone, cube, grind, and bag venison.
Day Two: Sunday, Nov 2 – Sausage Making and Canning – Half DayLearn how to preserve venison in a food-safe manner.
Event cost: $250 for both days, or $175 Day 1 and $100 Day 2.
This event is a partnership between Penelakut & Galiano Island knowledge holders, the Galiano Conservancy Association (GCA), the Galiano Community Food Program, and the Access to Media Education Society (AMES). It is offered as part of our new Restoring the Balance program.
The 2025 event is supported in part by the Community Impact Grant and the Gencon Foundation. Funders have included the Government of Canada, Heritage BC, the Victoria Foundation, and BC Multiculturalism.

Wildcrafting Workshop: Forest Salve
2025-12-13 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
Join us for this fun, family friendly event! We’ll meet at the Millard Learning Centre Classroom before heading out on a leisurely plant walk to discover the plants used in our salves. After the walk, we’ll cozy up in the Classroom for light refreshments and a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn all about the salve making process. Each participant will leave with a salve, perfect to enjoy yourself or to share as a gift!
This workshop is for all ages, children 12 and under attend for free (must be accompanied by an adult). We’ll have activities planned for all ages!
Cost is $20 per participant. Click here to register.

2026 New Year's Day Walk
2026-01-01 13:30 - 16:30 (America/Vancouver) | Millard Learning Centre, Galiano Island, 10825 Porlier Pass road, Galiano Island, British Columbia, V0N1P0, Canada
The Galiano Conservancy’s New Year’s day walk has become a yearly tradition for many of us. It is the perfect occasion to dust off our hiking boots to explore the beautiful trails of the Millard Learning Centre, while connecting with like-minded community members and starting the year on the ‘right foot’.
It is also an opportunity for the Conservancy to give back to the community that supports us, by providing some comforting food and drinks that can be enjoyed by the walkers around the outdoor fire (weather permitting), or inside the MLC classroom.
DATE & TIME: January 1, 2026. 1:30 PM until 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Millard Learning Centre (10825 Porlier Pass Road, Galiano Island)
EVENT: Fun walk through the newly-created Wetland trail
WHAT TO BRING: Dress warm, and wear study, waterproof boots. Come prepared for rain – this walk will happen rain or shine!
REFRESHMENTS: Home-made soup & bread, sweets and hot beverages will be served
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Kids and leashed pets are welcome
PARKING: Available on site and along Porlier Pass road
ACCESSIBILITY: If you have mobility issues, you are welcome to park your vehicle near the MLC classroom. You can also join us only for the refreshment portion of the event (food will be served starting around 2:30 PM).
We hope to see you there!!
