About Us

MISSION STATEMENT

The Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association (VIMGA), an affiliated chapter of the Master Gardeners Association of British Columbia, provides education on a volunteer basis to the public using current, science-based horticultural knowledge and integrated pest management practices to ensure the advice we offer exemplifies environmentally responsible practices and stewardship.

Who are we?

The Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association (VIMGA) is the home for Master Gardeners living on Vancouver Island from Mill Bay north to Campbell River. We are an all-volunteer organization and a chapter of the Master Gardeners Association of BC (MGABC).

Provincial Master Gardener associations serve the urban gardeners in all major urban centres in six Canadian provinces, with the Atlantic Master Gardeners serving the four maritime provinces. American master gardener associations serve communities in all 50 states and DC. The UK’s urban gardening communities are served by the UK master gardeners in nine districts, called networks.

On Vancouver Island, we have four districts:

  • North Island, stretching from Bowser north to Campbell River and including Denman and Hornby Islands;
  • Parksville Qualicum Nanoose, from Nanoose to Qualicum Bay and including Port Alberni;
  • Nanaimo, from Yellow Point to Lantzville and including Gabriola and Protection Islands;
  • Cowichan, from Mill Bay to Ladysmith and including Salt Spring and Thetis Islands.

The Victoria area is covered by the Victoria Master Gardeners.

What do we do?

Our members participate in many different activities with the aim of providing gardening information and advice to the general public. Activities include:

  • Advice Clinics
    We set up at nurseries, garden centres, plant sales, farmers’ markets, garden shows and garden tours to answer gardening questions.
  • Speaking Engagements
    We will happily speak at garden club meetings, newcomers groups and other gatherings.
  • Online Presentations
    Partnering with other organizations, such as the Vancouver Island Regional Library and the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society, we provide online (zoom) sessions featuring our own members as well as reknown experts from around the world.
  • Garden Advice Line
    Working with the Milner Gardens and Woodland, we provide the Garden Advice Line, an email-based advice service; send us a question and we’ll provide an answer.
  • Garden Advice Party
    Largely suspended because of the Covid pandemic, out garden advice parties are where we come to your garden: Master Gardeners will come and answer questions for you about what’s growing in your garden.
  • Article Writing
    We also write articles for newspapers and newsletters.
  • Continuing Education
    While gardening is an ancient craft, trade and pastime, the knowledge and science of gardening continues to evolve, so our members continue with our education to provide the public with the latest, accurate, science-based advice.
➤