Volunteering for the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at the Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre! Volunteers spend their time helping to spread the dirt on composting and conservation in the Capital Region! We have been able to realize growth in all areas of our service due to the dedication and talent of the volunteer staff!

Since 1992, The Greater Victoria Compost Education Centre (GVCEC) has been offering a very comprehensive volunteer training program. Volunteers complete the Compost Educator Program (CEP) which is based on the "Master Gardener" model known to many gardeners. The CEP involves approximately 17 hours of classroom, practical, and hands-on instruction. Features of the course include:

• Site tour, centre services and staff orientation
• Composting systems and methods
• Compost pile maintenance and troubleshooting
• Worm-bins and indoor composting
• Compost questions asked by the public
• Hot compost pile building
• Community educational outreach skills
• Permaculture principles and application
• Organic gardening and soil building
• A potluck lunch and social!

Following the training course, volunteers complete a 30-hour practicum involving hands on application of your newly acquired skills! After completion you will receive a Master Composter Certificate and heaps of praise while you join the ranks of many other fine, accomplished Master Composters from other cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Seattle! The pace at which you complete your practicum is up to you. Usually volunteers will complete their commitment within a year of taking the CEP but continue to participate with the centre long after!

Compost Educator Training is offered three times throughout the year.
Mar 8-10 ~ June 7-9 ~ Sept 13-15

Thursday and Friday 6:30pm-9:00pm ~ Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm

Space is limited to 20 participants. Cost is $100 with $75 refunded upon completion of 30-hour practicum (sliding scale available). call 250-386-9676 or email our Volunteer Coordinator at: office@compost.bc.ca for more details and to apply.

Volunteer opportunities to complete the CEP 30-hour practicum include:

• Community Outreach / Mobile Displays - This position involves staffing the GVCEC booth at mobile displays when we attend different events and venues throughout the Capital Regional District such as the Moss St. Market, Seedy Saturday and Organic Islands Festival. Community outreach is a powerful tool to spread the 'dirt' on composting and conservation and a great experience for all involved.


• School Program Assistant - This volunteer opportunity involves assisting our Education Coordinator with the various school programs that the centre offers. These programs include compost puppet shows for primary levels, wrigglers at work;building a worm bin in the classroom for all levels and composting for climate initiatives for secondary levels among many others. Each program usually runs for 2 hours on weekdays and is a fantastic opportunity for those who love to teach and interact with youngsters and is a great resume builder!


• Site Maintenance and Gardening- CEP volunteers at the GVCEC participate in all aspects of gardening including designing, planting, weeding, propagating, seed gathering, pruning, harvesting, and of course, enjoying the fruits and veggies of your labour! Peak times for volunteering in the garden are between April and October. Other site tasks include preparing worm bins for indoor composting, compost building, compost sifting and mulching the garden beds; great for those who like to be hands on with Mother Earth!



• Office Assistant - Office assistants help staff manage office duties, especially during our many workshops. Office assistants will help answer phones, talk with customers, and help guests who are visiting the site by answering their gardening and composting questions. Office assistants are vital for the success of our organization and are much appreciated!

If you would like to become a part of our on-going activities by volunteering your time and talent, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at the Centre at 250-386-WORM(9676) or email office@compost.bc.ca. There are many additional benefits that you'll enjoy as a volunteer including special Volunteer Appreciation events, as well as the fun and satisfaction you'll derive from being in the company of like-minded individuals!

Other volunteer opportunities:

Compost BEES - Brilliant Environmental Educator Superstars

Come learn more about our education volunteer opportunities to teach youth and adults about the wonders of composting, urban agriculture and sustainability. Join us at one of our Compost BEES Volunteer Training Sessions which occur regularly through out the school year. The training course is 3-hours in length and will provide an introduction to our workshops and overview of learning styles, teaching techniques, and classroom management. Volunteers must be willing to commit to helping run three 1-hr long composting workshops for youth or adults within the CRD. If you are interested in details on the next training session, please fill out a Compost BEES application form and send it to office@compost.bc.ca.

SPADES - Seeding, Pruning, and Doing Exciting Stuff

Come volunteer at the Compost Education Centre's urban food garden and learn gardening skills. Get tutorials on basic gardening skills followed by 2 hours of volunteering in the gardens to practice your skills! No commitment required, try it once or come every week. Work parties are held from 1-3:30pm on Fridays and from 10-1pm on Saturdays. If you are interested in joining us please call 250-386-9676 to reserve a spot or email office@compost.bc.ca.