Join the Milner volunteer community
Milner's flexible volunteer program offers a variety of opportunities to suit different skills, interests and schedules. Whether you're welcoming visitors, caring for the gardens, supporting educational programs or contributing behind the scenes, volunteers play an essential role in making Milner Gardens & Woodland a warm and welcoming place for all.
Volunteers receive an orientation and training for their role, invitations to volunteer-only events and learning opportunities and the satisfaction of contributing to one of Vancouver Island's most treasured public gardens.
Our volunteer philosophy
To ensure our small staff team can support more than 200 active volunteers, Milner's volunteer positions are designed for individuals who are comfortable working with a high degree of independence after completing their orientation and training.
We welcome volunteers who enjoy being part of a larger team but can confidently carry out routine responsibilities on their own, all while knowing staff are always available to provide support whenever needed.
Volunteer requirements
Visitor Services, Camellia Tea Room, and Interpretation
Ideal for volunteers who:
- enjoy interacting with visitors and providing excellent customer service
- are comfortable learning to use the Square Point of Sale system and handling cash (role dependent)
- can work independently or as part of a team
- are comfortable making routine decisions and seeking assistance from staff when needed
- can remain on their feet for up to four hours (position dependent)
- are at least 17 years of age
Commitment: Minimum one shift per month.
Horticulture and construction
Ideal for volunteers who:
- enjoy working outdoors in all weather conditions
- can follow horticultural practices and safety procedures after instruction
- are physically able to complete gardening or construction-related tasks
- are comfortable working independently or in small teams
- are at least 17 years of age and are available on weekdays
Commitment: Minimum one shift per week.
Education
Ideal for volunteers who:
- have experience working with children
- willingness to complete a Criminal Record Check
- comfortable leading or assisting group activities
- comfortable working outdoors
- are at least 17 years of age and are available during school hours
Commitment: Minimum five programs per school year.
Committees
Ideal for volunteers who:
- have experience in fundraising, governance, communications, marketing, or related fields
- comfortable contributing ideas and completing assigned work independently as a Milner Ambassador between meetings
- are at least 17 years of age
Commitment: Minimum four meetings per year.
Waitlist
Due to the popularity of our volunteer program, some volunteer roles maintain a waitlist. More positions may become available depending on changing organizational needs. We sincerely appreciate every application and will contact you as soon as we can with our current availability.
Volunteer positions
Shoots with Roots mentors
Shoots with Roots mentors assist the Shoots with Roots coordinator with school visits to Milner Gardens by accompanying school groups and helping children with activities, handing out equipment, and gently reinforcing expectations. This volunteer opportunity is available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings during the school year with a minimum commitment of five volunteer shifts over the course of the year. Experience working with groups of young children is required, as is a criminal record check.
Tour guide
Leads groups through the Gardens and Woodland identifying plants, birds and animal habitats; while telling of its history, connections to the Milner family, and relationship to Vancouver Island University and horticultural collection.
House docent
Gives the public visiting Milner House information about the house and its history, as well as about the social history surrounding Milner Gardens & Woodland.
Food garden support
Assists the Horticulture Coordinator in watering, weeding, planting and harvesting beds in the Food Garden.
Florist
Creates floral bouquets for Milner House for special events, weddings and the Camellia Tea Room using the Gardens resources.
Nursery and plant sales assistant
Assists the Horticulture Coordinator with the organization of the Nursery. Cares for and sells plants in the sales area and interacts with the visiting public. Knowledge of plants is required, or a willingness to learn and research.
Trail and woodland steward
Walks the trails, paths, driveway and parking lots to ensure that they are clean (raking, sweeping and removing broken/fallen branches), signage is clean and all areas are presentable and safe for the public prior to opening in the morning. Please note working alone in the woodlands is required.
Wednesday gardener
This group meets every Wednesday morning and assists the Grounds Keeper with many gardening tasks around the Gardens.
Gift shop assistant
Interacts with visitors and transacts sales. Serves visitors refreshments and snacks, handles the payments and maintains the Gift Shop in a clean, welcoming and orderly fashion.
Shuttle cart driver
Transports visitors safely to/from the Welcome Interpretive Centre to the Gift Shop, Nursery and/or Milner House in a seven-passenger golf cart.
Welcome and Interpretive Centre cashier
Welcomes visitors, takes admissions and/or checks membership status, promotes membership, answers the phone, informs the public about general information, policy and activities of the Gardens.
Kitchen assistant
Supports the overall Tea Room operation in back of house by washing dishes, assists with laundry and cleaning duties, and supports service by filling tea bags, refilling sugars and brewing pots of coffee.
Tea room server
Engages with diners, takes payments, facilitates guests' orders and communicates them with the Chef, serves customers food and beverages, shares knowledge about the menu, house and gardens, cleans and resets tables, assists in cleanup duties such as sweeping, filling tea bags for service and folding laundry.
Host
Welcomes and seats diners to the Camellia Tea Room, supports and communicates with the Servers to help ensure a smooth dining experience for our guests, manages a waitlist on busy days, and takes payments at the till. Additional duties include sweeping, folding laundry and filling sugars and tea bags.
Construction
Performs painting and repairs to the Main House, Gardener’s Cottage, Gift Shop and Welcome Interpretive Centre, as well as mends fences, benches and more on the property.
Fund Development Committee
Helps to source and write grant applications and come up with creative and effective ways to raise funds to support the general operation, growth and evolution of the Gardens.
Marketing Committee
Assists 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 milnergardens@viu.ca.