About Us

MISSION STATEMENT

Vancouver Island Master Gardeners are volunteers who educate the gardening public with current, science-based, and environmentally responsible horticultural information. We are your neighbours and members of your communities. Our program and priorities inform our efforts to shape healthy communities and a healthy planet.

VISION

  • Support and inspire the community
  • Sustain and support our organization and it’s committed volunteers
  • Continually update our sound knowledge base
  • New and experienced gardeners think of VIMGA first when looking for trusted gardening advice

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).

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.
  • 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 (GAP)
    Our garden advice parties are where we come to your garden: Master Gardeners will come and answer questions for you about your garden or show you gardening techniques. It is an educational event where you ask your friends and neighbours to participate.
  • Online Presentations
    Partnering with other organizations, such as the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) and the Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society, we provide online (zoom) sessions featuring our own members as well as reknowned experts from around the world.
  • Speaking Engagements
    We will speak at garden club meetings, newcomers groups and other gatherings.
  • 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.
  • Mentoring Interns
    Every two years new students take the MG Basic Training program. Certified Master Gardeners mentor the students through their training and for two seasons at advice clinics or other advice events until they are ready to become Master Gardeners themselves.
➤