“Why do I volunteer at the Galiano Conservancy? From the days of potlucks in the cramped, overstuffed office to now, when we experience dreams that have actually come true… Dreams of hundreds of hectares of land secured for restoration and scientific study, and a Food Forest populated with flora from similar zones in various regions of the world. This is where I find much of my community, where I learn with people of diverse ages. Where we get to know each other while weeding, planting, composting and harvesting to the sounds of frogs and birds. I feel an attachment to the land and delight in the restored places and trails, the sense of hope when the Penelakut people and the GCA collaborate, when the plants from the Native Plant Nursery germinate and thrive. The Millard Learning Centre attracts many gifted people, just as the conserved and restored lands provide more habitat for creatures and plants.”

– DIANA LILLY, Long-standing GCA Volunteer
Weekly Volunteer Opportunities

Thursdays at the Galiano Conservancy Food Forest and Nursery

Every Thursday, volunteers meet at the GCA’s Food Forest between 10am and 2pm to harvest edibles for local restaurants and markets, care for plants, propagate species for our native plant nursery, and chat over herbal tea.  A Master Composter can be available on request to discuss composting options and techniques.

Contact:  Cedana Bourne, GCA Sustainable Food Systems Coordinator

Weekly Volunteer Opportunities

Friday Volunteering – Updated Monthly

On Fridays, we host a variety of volunteer activities that contribute to our ecological restoration and land stewardship programs. There are two volunteer sessions each Friday, and participants are welcome to attend either or both:

  • Morning Session – 9:30 am to noon
  • Afternoon Session – 1 pm to 3:30 pm

Reach out if you have questions, want to be added to our weekly volunteer email list, or to let us know you want to join us this Friday!

Contact:  Adam Huggins, GCA Restoration Coordinator

First Fridays – Nuts’a’maat Forage Forest

Join us at the Millard Learning Centre to help tend native food and medicine plants on the First Friday of every month!

Attend

Second & Third Fridays – Ecological Restoration

There are new and different ways to contribute to restoring our ecosystems in every month of the year – join us to learn what we’re currently up to!

Attend

Fourth Fridays – Trail Building

Join us at the Millard Learning Centre to help construct and maintain our network of hiking trails on the Fourth Friday of every month!

Attend
Get Hands-On Work Experience

Volunteer Internships

The Galiano Conservancy Association is a diverse organization offering learning opportunities for students of many disciplines. Interns have the opportunity to work with all facets of the organization or focus on a specific area of interest.

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Unique Volunteer Roles

Other Opportunities

Not available Thursdays / Fridays? Or just looking for something different? There are many more ways to volunteer. Here are just a few examples of other ways you can help:

  • Support our learning programs as an assistant educator and learn how to show children the delights of our natural world
  • Join a restoration project for an afternoon to remove other invasive species or help propagate plants in our native plant nursery
  • Work in teams of two to map bull kelp by kayak (each August)
  • Support the Sentinels of Change project by monitoring a light trap for a week (April – Sept.)
  • Learn new skills while maintaining and expanding our network of trails
  • Bring a group of friends or colleagues for a team-building volunteer event — camping accommodation available

Let us know your interests and we will connect you with a project that you will enjoy. Contact us using the form below to learn more about how you can get involved.

Greywater from a washing machine and shower irrigate this fig tree at the GCA's Millard Learning Centre
Get Involved

Volunteer with the GCA

About Galiano

Galiano Island is located in the Salish Sea and Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem, within the asserted, unceded and shared territory of the Penelakut, Lamalcha, Hwiltsum, Lelum Sar Augh Ta Naogh, and other Hul’qumi’num speaking peoples, as well as the ceded territory of the Tsawwassen First Nation. The Island is home to roughly 1,200 full time residents, and has basic commercial and health care services, an elementary school, and regular ferry service to Vancouver, Victoria, and neighbouring Gulf Islands, plus seaplane service to Vancouver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GALIANO

Visit the Millard Learning Centre

Explore the centrepiece of the Galiano Conservancy’s network of conservation lands, a living landscape where we practice participatory, restorative, and regenerative relationships with the more-than-human world.

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