Become a member and/or a volunteer!
Milner Gardens & Woodland is looking for volunteers who are willing to offer a few hours of their time on a regular basis to instruct and work with others in horticulture and gardening.
This is an excellent opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and to participate in making Milner Gardens & Woodland a world-class venue.
Milner Gardens & Woodland volunteers are given an orientation, hands-on training, horticultural knowledge, invitations to volunteer-only events and courses, the satisfaction of being part of creating an exciting community-oriented project, and of course, you will have our undying gratitude.
To become a volunteer, please fill out a Volunteer Application Form and either drop it off at the garden or mail it in.
Milner Gardens & Woodland
2179 West Island Highway
Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1G1
Updating volunteer information
If you are a current Milner Garden & Woodland volunteer and wish to let us know of any changes in contact information, areas of interest or other details, please fill out volunteer application form and mail it to the address above or drop it off at the main office.
Volunteer Positions
Please see below for a description of the various volunteer opportunities:
EDUCATION
Shoots with Roots Mentor
Volunteer mentors in our Shoots with Roots program accompany school groups to help engage children in a variety of science, gardening and nature play activities. Shifts are on weekday mornings during the school year from September through June, with a minimum commitment of five shifts per year. Experience working with groups of children is preferred and a criminal record check is required.
INTERPRETATION
Tour Guide (Gardens & Woodland Docent)
Lead groups through the Gardens and Woodland identifying plants, birds and animal habitat. Share details about the Gardens' history, connection to the Milner family and relationship to Vancouver Island University and horticultural collection.
House Docent
Provide visitors to the Milner House information about the house and its history along with the social history surrounding Milner Gardens & Woodland. Monitor the public areas of the house and items that belong within.
HORTICULTURE
Plant Sales Assistant
Assist the Nursery Grower with the organization of plant sales. Care for and sell plants in the Nursery and provide information to visitors.
Trail & Woodland Steward
Walk the trails, paths, woodland, driveway and parking lots to ensure that they are clear, signage is clean, and all areas are presentable and safe for the public prior to opening in the morning. Raking, sweeping, and removal of broken or fallen branches, as needed.
Wednesday Gardener
This group meets every Wednesday and assists the Grounds Keeper with many gardening tasks around the Gardens.
Seed Saver
Bagging, collecting labelling and processing seeds for sale and for propagation of new plants in the Gardens.
Food Garden Assistant
Assist in the Food Garden with light garden tending duties including harvesting, weeding, planting, mulching and interacting with visitors.
VISITOR SERVICES
WIC Cashier
Welcome & Interpretive Centre cashier takes admissions and/or checks membership status, promotes membership, informs the public with general information, policy along with events and activities in the Gardens.
Gift Shop Assistant
Interact with visitors, transact sales, and price merchandise and use creative talents to assist with the display of items in the Pool House Gift Shop. Serve refreshments and snacks to visitors and handle payments. Maintain the Gift Shop inside and out.
CAMELLIA TEA ROOM
Kitchen Assistant
Duties may include assisting the cook with food prep, cleanup, washing dishes and baking for the Tea Room.
Tea Room Server
Serve food and beverages to guests in the Tea Room. Cash/credit card/cash register handling is required.
Tea Room Assistant
Duties may include preparing tea and coffee, washing bone china cups and saucers, assisting with clearing and setting tables, and seating guests in the Tea Room.
MISCELLANEOUS
Shuttle Cart Driver
Transport visitors to and from the Welcome & Interpretive Centre and Gift Shop, Nursery and Milner House in a seven passenger golf cart.
Parking/Traffic Attendant
Direct traffic at the entrance and the parking lot during busy days (Mother's Day, statutory holidays, etc.) and special events.
Fairy House Helper
April to mid-June, collect and organiz plant material to construct fairy houses and scenes for the summer solstice special event along with the creation of displays.
Plant Phenology Helper
Citizen scientists help collect data on native plant species at Milner Gardens & Woodland with in-person observations to record changes during the growing season. The work of this position supports the joint Coastal Forest Plant Phenology Research and Monitoring Project.
MAINTENANCE
Facilities Maintenance & Construction
Perform painting and repairs to the Main House, Gardener's Cottage, Gift Shop, Welcome & Interpretive Centre and other buildings.
Garden Maintenance & Construction
Mend fences, build benches and perform repairs and/or minor renovations to the structures on the property.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Christmas Lighter
Assist with site preparations for the annual Milner Christmas Magic event. Work takes place between September and December each year. Most light installation is at ground level and ladder climbing is not required.
Garden Ambassador
Staff our display booth at various shows and markets, answer questions, provide membership and volunteer information, and distribute brochures. May also be required to administer draws, and sell seeds, plants and raffle tickets. Assist at events by helping to organize and prepare the site and cleanup afterwards.
Wedding Support
Participate in wedding events by assisting in preparations beforehand, and cleanup afterwards. Duties may include meeting potential clients to discuss price and policy and to show them the grounds prior to booking.
Garden Monitor
Monitor the garden during open days, interact with visitors and encourage garden etiquette.
COMMITTEES
Fund Development Committee
Assist with sourcing and writing grant applications, and raising funds to support the general operation, growth and evolution of the Gardens.
Marketing Committee
Assist in the promotion of the Gardens through various activities including planning for and participation in community events, social media marketing and distribution of promotional material.
For more information, please contact Volunteer Services at:
volunteer.milnergardens@shaw.ca
250-752-8573 option 3