Our mission:
To improve, preserve, and enhance the natural areas and gardens of Government House.
To encourage the active participation of British Columbia’s residents in the development and maintenance of the grounds for their continued public use, education, and enjoyment.
Who We Are
- Almost 300 members volunteer in gardening and non-gardening activities.
- Gardening volunteers work from March to October (depending on the weather, volunteers may work year-round).
- Non-gardening volunteers work year-round or, in the case of seasonal activities, from late May until Labour Day
- We are a registered, but not charitable, society. The Society is not managed for profit or gain and receives no government funding.
- The Society’s operating revenue is raised from donations, memberships, and sales of organic vegetables (members-only), plants, and floral arrangements.
- These proceeds, in addition to the revenue from the David and Dorothy Lam Garden Sustainability Fund, are dedicated to garden maintenance, as well as the purchase of plants, soil, compost, fertilizer, and tools
What We Do
- We supply the major tools needed to work in the gardens. Volunteers bring their own small hand tools and gloves.
- Each group maintains a different area of the grounds. We usually work in the gardens either, or both, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from March to October. However, depending on the garden area, and the weather, we may work year round.
- Non-garden volunteers work mainly from May to September in areas such as the Friends’ or Government House archives, Cary Castle Mews, both garden and in-House floral design, and the library.
- Expert gardening experience is not required. We are happy to welcome anyone who would like to work with us. Most volunteers join in the spring (when we hold an orientation), but may start at any time of the year.
- You are welcome to volunteer for Friends’ activities, but you are not required to do so to become a member.
Click Here to Become a member of the Friends!
Contact the Friends for more information.