City of Victoria
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Community Education


The Compost Centre is pleased to offer a broad range of workshops on composting, organic gardening, and environmental topics every year.

Composting Basics **FREE**

Saturdays, once per month 10am to 12pm

Please pre-register: space is limited

(Feb 13, Mar 6, April 10, May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug 7, Sept 11, Oct 16, Nov 13)

Urban Homesteading 101

The art of urban homesteading can be an empowering local response to the global challenges we face. Through a combination of multi-media presentation, group discussion, and individual design projects, this course will use a practical approach to explore key topics including :


  • Permaculture Design
  • Small-scale intensive food production
  • Composting and Soil building in the city
  • Water Harvesting, Conserving, and Cycling

Please Note: It is advisable to have a usable garden space to practice what you are learning Lifecycles Project Society have a great program called 'Sharing Backyards' if you are in need of gardening space!


Dates and Time for Spring 2010: Thursdays 7-9pm: Mar 4, Mar 11, Mar 20(Sat 2-4), Mar 25, Apr 1, Apr 8, Apr 15, Apr 22


Cost: $175 (Email sitemgr@compost.bc.ca for more details and to register)


Sustainable Home and Garden Series 2010


tomatoes


Compost Club Members: 2 FREE workshops! (Additional workshops $10)

Non-members: $15


Please pre-register as space is limited. Email office@compost.bc.ca or call (250)-386-9676 to register. Payment for workshops preferred in advance to secure place and ensure full attendance.


Please note: 48 hours cancellation notice is required for all workshops. If you do not cancel within that time and do not show up for the workshop, it will be counted as one of your free membership workshops.


Workshops take place saturdays 2-4pm at the GVCEC 1216 North Park Street


Feb 13: Planning Your Year Round Veggie Garden
Feb 27: Mason Bees Part 1
March 6: Planning Your Year Round Veggie Garden
March 13: Wriggling Worms for Kids (5-10yrs with an adult)
April 10: Advanced Composting
May 1: No Dig Veggie Gardening
May 8: Grow the Best Tomatoes
May 29: Winter Veggie Gardening
June 5: Grow the Best Brassicas
June 19: Build the Best Soil
June 26: Gardening in Small Spaces
July 3: Food Preservation
July 24: Chickens in the City
Sept 11 : Basics of Honey Beekeeping
Sept 18: Chickens in the City
Sept 25: Seed Saving
Oct 16: Grow the Best Garlic
Oct 23: Grow the Best Mushrooms
Nov 13: Propagating Food Plants
Nov 20: Mason Bees Part 2

Click HERE for Workshop Descriptions and Instructor Bios.

Group Workshops

Interactive Sustainability Tour

Come to our demonstration site and learn about different conservation techniques for the home and garden and how they work together.

Composting Basics

Learn the basics about composting in this two hour workshop. We cover the history of composting, various methods and specifics such as dynamic accumulators and compost activators, do's and don'ts for backyard bins. Be the change you want to see in the world - learn how to compost!

Compost for Climate and Community

Have you been looking for an opportunity to get your group involved in composting? Are you interested in having an impact on climate change? Then this program is for you! Did you know that composting is one way to reduce climate change?


We are pleased to offer this new program to make composting more accessible for community groups! For $35, plus the cost of subsidized composting supplies, program involvement includes:

  • A composting and climate change workshop- This 2 hour workshop will explain basic composting techniques, outline how composting can reduce climate change, and work with your community group to develop a composting system that works for you!
  • Access to subsidized composting supplies- Once your community group has had the workshop and determined what composting system works best for your situation, you can purchase supplies at a subsidized cost. (for a limited time only, click here to see restrictions.
  • Materials for joining the Black Gold Rush Challenge- The Black Gold Rush kit includes information on composting and climate change and all you need to to monitor your greenhouse gas emission reductions from composting.
  • Follow-up composting support- Program participants will receive follow-up support until November 2007 (should read some date in 2008) in the form of compost troubleshooting, use of the composting supplies, use of the Black Gold Calculator, informational materials, and/or on-site visits.

To participate fill out the application form and submit it to info@compost.bc.ca. To be eligible to participate in this program, your organization must:

  • Be a registered charity, a non-profit, a cooperative, community centre, or community group (for e.g. a church group, boys and girls club, neighbourhood association, etc.)
  • Have a minimum of 5 members
  • Have been in existence for at least one year
  • Be located within the Capital Regional District (CRD)
  • Have demonstrated interest and dedication to continue composting over the long-term.

If you are interested in participating, please contact us for an application form at (250)-386-WORM or info@compost.bc.ca


Thank you to our project sponsors for making this program possible:


VanCity Environment Canada CRD