Millard Learning Centre

Located on the southwest shore of Galiano Island, the Millard Learning Centre property protects a diversity of ecosystems, including a rare, uninterrupted coastal buffer of mature Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) forest that is home to many old-growth trees; one of the longest remaining stretches of undeveloped coastline in the Southern Gulf Islands; and spring-fed bluffs that support healthy populations of native wildflowers.  It is adjacent to a protected area that features cormorant nesting cliffs and rare peregrine falcon habitat.

The Millard Learning Centre includes areas that have been degraded by clear-cut logging, sheep grazing, small-scale agriculture, and road construction.  These areas provide opportunities for staff, students, and community members to participate in healing the land through ecological restoration.

Learning to produce food in cooperation with the land is a central aspect of stewardship at the Millard Learning Centre.  Currently, we’ve established two Forest Gardens that grow a diversity of edible, medicinal, and useful plants by mimicking the structure and function of forested ecosystems.  We also grow vegetables, starts, and sprouts on a small scale.

Each year, over 1,200 students visit the Millard Learning Centre to take part in our hands-on education programs. Many groups stay overnight at our Classroom and Frontcountry Campsite, and at our Backcountry Campsite. We also regularly host courses and workshops for post-secondary students and community members.