GET INVOLVED

Book a Child & Youth Workshop

Looking to bring hands-on environmental education into your classroom? Look no further than our workshops for children and youth!

Book a child and youth workshop in your classroom, or come visit our teaching gardens! We offer a variety of programming for learners from preschool to grade 12. Inquire about the possibility of French composting workshops for immersion classes from kindergarten to grade 8!

Accessibility Information

Our educators aim to make our workshops accessible and enjoyable for students with diverse needs. Get in touch if you have students who may benefit from accommodations so that we can best prepare for your workshop. For information about accessibility on our site during visits, see here.

Testimonials

“It was very apparent that the kids and their parents thoroughly enjoyed the program. The day after the program I had one little guy, who attended the program, ask me to find him books on composting as his family were going to build a compost!”

“I liked how experiential the tour was for the children. The facilitator was skilled at maintaining the children’s attention and keeping them interested.”

“Elora was very interactive, engaging, and fun! She noticed when the children needed to move and was willing to respond to many questions, comments, and student inquiries!”

Spring Plant Sale – May 9th, 2026

Save the Date! The Spring plant sale will be held on May 9th, 2026 from 10am-2pm. The plant sale will take place in Haegert Park (1202 Yukon St.) one block from our site on North Park street. Bring a blanket or a picnic so you can enjoy the music in the shade of the giant…
Save the Date! The Spring plant sale will be held on May 9th, 2026 from 10am-2pm. The plant sale will take place in Haegert Park (1202 Yukon St.) one block from our site on North Park street. Bring a blanket or a picnic so you can enjoy the music in the shade of the giant Sequoia tree. Entry by donation. No one turned away from lack of funds. Dogs welcome.

The Spring Organic Plant Sale features local farmers offering a wide variety of organically grown vegetable, flower and herb seedlings to get you off to a successful start this growing season.

What you can look forward to:

• The largest selection of organically grown heirloom tomato varieties all in one place for easy shopping

• Organically grown vegetable starts from arugula to zucchini

• Native plants for your low maintenance garden

• Perennial edibles like berry bushes and other fruiting shrubs

• Medicinal herbs like English lavender, chamomile and yarrow

• Culinary herbs like Genovese basil, dill and chives

• Companion plants like marigolds, sweet cicely and comfrey

Accessibility Information

The sale will be happening in Haegert park which is grassy and slightly sloped, there are curb cuts at various entrance points to get into the park.

Visitors can park at the Vic High parking lot between Gladstone Avenue and Grant St. The parking lot is a 200m walk from Haegert Park.

Thank you to our sponsors:
- Hatchet & Seed
- LADR Landscape Architects
- Biophilia Collective
- Country Grocer
- Cold Comfort
- Habit Coffee
- Patagonia Victoria
- The Private Network
- Zero Waste Emporium
- Chek News
- West Coast Seeds
The Compost Education Centre is located on unceded and occupied Indigenous territories, specifically the land of the Lekwungen speaking people—the Xwsepsum and Songhees Nations. These nations are two of many, made up of individuals who have lived within the porous boundaries of what is considered Coast Salish, Nuu-Chah-Nulth and Kwakwa’wakw Territory (Vancouver Island) since time immemorial. At the CEC we seek to respect, honour and continually grow our own understandings of Indigenous rights and history, and to fulfill our responsibilities as settlers, who live and work directly with the land and its complex, vital ecologies and our diverse, evolving communities.
We’re Hiring!

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a charitable, not for profit organization that provides composting, organic gardening and conservation education to residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD). The CEC is seeking an Executive Director. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in the non-profit sector, strong communication skills and a great capacity for innovative…

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a charitable, not for profit organization that provides composting, organic gardening and conservation education to residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD).

The CEC is seeking an Executive Director. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in the non-profit sector, strong communication skills and a great capacity for innovative and strategic thinking.

Work Week: 32 hours per week to start, work week Tuesday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm. After 3-month training and probationary period, potential to expand the role to 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5:30pm. Occasional weekend and evening work.

Job Start Date: November 9th, 2022

Job Applications Due: October 17, 2022, 11:59PM

For More Details, Click the Link Provided Below.

Executive Director Job posting September 2022 – Compost Education Centre
August Organic Plant Sale Wrap up & Thank yous

Wow, what a great turn out for the plant sale last weekend! A massive thank you to every person who came out to buy plants, connect with community, and celebrate the CEC’s 30th birthday with us. These fundraising events are paramount to the operation of our year-round programming which connects many people, young…

Wow, what a great turn out for the plant sale last weekend! A massive thank you to every person who came out to buy plants, connect with community, and celebrate the CEC’s 30th birthday with us.

These fundraising events are paramount to the operation of our year-round programming which connects many people, young and old, to composting and ecological gardening education.

A special thank you to all the volunteers who wheelbarrowed HUNDREDS of plants from our demonstration gardens to Haegert Park.

And we’d also like to thank our generous event sponsors who made the growth of this year’s sale to a market event possible: Country Grocer, Paper Heart Films, Root Cellar, Chek Media, Hoyne Brewing, Cold Comfort Ice Cream, and Vancity

Happy planting, and remember—you can always call our hotline if you have any composting or gardening questions! 250 386 WORM (9676)
Call for Board Members

The Compost Education Centre is seeking skilled leaders and innovators to serve on its Board of Directors. The organization is looking to fill three positions at our AGM. Ideal candidates will bring some experience to the table and share our passion for composting, waste diversion, ecological conservation and food justice. Our mission is to…
The Compost Education Centre is seeking skilled leaders and innovators to serve on its Board of Directors.

The organization is looking to fill three positions at our AGM. Ideal candidates will bring some experience to the table and share our passion for composting, waste diversion, ecological conservation and food justice.

Our mission is to create resilient communities, which support the land and all living beings to thrive, and we want you to join us in this objective!

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a project of the Victoria Compost and Conservation Education Society, a not-for-profit, charitable organization. Since 1992, the CEC has provided in-school and community-centred educational programs for people of all ages throughout Greater Victoria and our Capital Regional District (CRD). The CEC is mandated to provide practical, hands-on education around composting, waste diversion, soil conservation and environmental stewardship while also promoting organic and ecological gardening practices as a means of reducing the health and environmental effects of chemical gardening practices, which can be harmful to natural systems, as well as promoting the environmental and social benefits of local food production.

Benefits of Participating
- Fantastic opportunity to build experience in organizational growth, not-for-profit and charity work;
- Connect & collaborate with a dedicated team that is passionate about waste reduction, soil conservation and local food production, as well as the intersections between food, land, and environmental justice;
- Training and leadership development opportunities (soil conservation and composting, team building, social enterprise development, event coordination, sustainable living skills);
- Contribute to your community and to the wellbeing of local ecosystems and the broader environment.
Helpful skills and experience:
- Familiarity with not-for-profits;
- Leadership experience;
- Prior experience on or working with a Board of Directors;
- Financial or accounting experience;
- Team and/or project management experience
- A business background or experience in ethical/green entrepreneurship or circular economies;
- HR experience;
- Familiarity with social enterprises or revenue generation in non-profit structures;
- A love for composting, food & environmental justice, urban agriculture, waste diversion and of course, soil health!
Responsibilities
- Attend Board meetings throughout the year, usually held monthly from 6-7:30pm at the Centre 1216 North Park Street in Fernwood, or online via Zoom;
- Work as part of a dynamic team to maintain the successful long term operation of the CEC;
- Contribute 4-8 hours per month working in your area of focus;
- Commit to a 2 year term.
How to Apply: Please submit a PDF to Board Chair, Lisette Chevalier (board@compost.bc.ca) containing a concise Letter of Interest, outlining skills, experience or interests you possess that could benefit the Compost Education Centre’s Board of Directors by Saturday, November 12th.

If you are interested in learning more about the CEC’s Board of Directors or about the organization before applying, please email Lisette Chevalier at at the previously listed contact.

To learn more about the Compost Education Centre and its programs visit our website www.compost.bc.ca

Board of Directors FAQ

What is the Board of Directors? The Board ensures that the Compost Education Centre is fulfilling its purpose and vision and oversees the society’s finances & human resources.

What do Board members do? They attend meetings every other month and join 1-3 committees: Policy, Finance & fundraising, Board Development – each with their own goals.

Can anyone become a Board Member? Yes! Anyone can buy a membership ($30) and express interest in being nominated to the Board of Directors at our AGM on Thursday, November 17, 2022. If cost is prohibitive to membership, please reach out, bursaries are available to cover membership cost.

What are the perks of joining the Board? Volunteering with a charitable non-profit org provides practical work skills. It’s also a way to meet like-minded folks from other professions and disciplines.

Are Board Members paid positions? Unfortunately, no. The BC Societies Act prohibits us from paying Board Members. These positions are volunteer.

What is the orientation like? CEC board members are oriented to the society’s board work through a facilitated session led by Volunteer Victoria. Board Members have access to society docs that outline their roles and may also take free workshops. We also recommend reading the BC Societies Act.
Annual August Plant Sale + 30th Birthday Party

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is hosting our 11th Annual August Plant Sale! This event features local farmers offering a wide variety of organically grown annual overwintering vegetables and perennials to keep you eating through the winter. And to celebrate our 30th birthday as an organization we’ll also have live music, cake, artisan vendors, an…

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is hosting our 11th Annual August Plant Sale! This event features local farmers offering a wide variety of organically grown annual overwintering vegetables and perennials to keep you eating through the winter. And to celebrate our 30th birthday as an organization we’ll also have live music, cake, artisan vendors, an e-bike raffle, a bean counting contest, and more!

The plant sale will take place for the first time in Haegert Park one block from our site on North Park street. Bring blanket or a picnic so you can enjoy the music under the giant Sequoia tree. Entry by donation or free for CEC members. Dogs welcome.

There will also be a Parent-Child workshop ‘Composting 101’ taking place during the sale, so bring the whole family and learn about composting while you’re here!
Summer Raffle

Did you hear? We’re having a raffle for a brand new cargo e-bike! In 2021 the Compost Education Centre began a concerted effort to expand and evolve our Child and Youth Education program, including the crucial addition of a second child and youth educator, Jeffrey Ellom. As a team, Jeffrey and Child & Youth…

Did you hear? We’re having a raffle for a brand new cargo e-bike!

In 2021 the Compost Education Centre began a concerted effort to expand and evolve our Child and Youth Education program, including the crucial addition of a second child and youth educator, Jeffrey Ellom. As a team, Jeffrey and Child & Youth Education Manager, Elora Adamson, have developed a host of new workshops and programs. These include one-off workshops like ‘Bees and Blossoms’, ‘Spectacular Seeds’, ‘Flawless Fungi’ and more! Fundraising from the Summer 2022 E-Bike Raffle will support not only the development of more relevant and exciting science and environmental resiliency workshops for young people, but will also contribute to new programming initiatives such as the ‘Parent-Child Workshop Series’.

Drop by in person, find us at events, or click here to grab your tickets to score this sweet ride.

Winner drawn in September. Thank you to @fairfieldbicycleshop for the generous donation.

1000 tickets, 1 for $2.00; 1500 tickets, 3 for $5.00; 3000 tickets, 10 for $15.00 | BC Gaming Event License #133883 | Winners consent to the release of their name by the licensee.

*Participants must be 19+ and a resident of BC to enter
Resource for National Pollinator Week

This week we are highlighting How to continue in the climate apocalypse with bugs and flowers, a zine by CEC staff member Zoe-Blue Coates. This project highlights the importance of insects in our community and their ability to be our greatest allies in the face of climate emergency. “This zine is a love note to the…

This week we are highlighting How to continue in the climate apocalypse with bugs and flowers, a zine by CEC staff member Zoe-Blue Coates. This project highlights the importance of insects in our community and their ability to be our greatest allies in the face of climate emergency.

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“This zine is a love note to the wasps, bees, flies, worms, beetles, and others that have taught me how to be gentle in this world despite the destruction & death. I hope you will be inspired to find something that will fill you with hope though this climate apocalypse.” – Zoe-Blue

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Annual Spring Organic Plant Sale!

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is hosting our annual, all-organic spring plant sale! Located at the end of North Park near the Chambers Street intersection, this popular market-style event is on Saturday, May 7th, from 10am-2pm out front of our demonstration gardens and retail site located at 1216 North Park Street. Entry is by donation.…

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is hosting our annual, all-organic spring plant sale! Located at the end of North Park near the Chambers Street intersection, this popular market-style event is on Saturday, May 7th, from 10am-2pm out front of our demonstration gardens and retail site located at 1216 North Park Street. Entry is by donation. The Spring Organic Plant Sale features local farmers offering a wide variety of organically grown vegetable, flower and herb seedlings to get you off to a successful start this growing season.

What you can look forward to:

The largest selection of organically grown heirloom tomato varieties all in one place for easy shopping, Organically grown vegetable starts from arugula to zucchini, Perennial edibles like berry bushes and other fruiting shrubs, Medicinal herbs, Culinary herbs like Genovese basil, dill and chives, Companion plants like marigolds, and comfrey, Native plants, and Live music!

VENDORS:
Saanich Organics
Metchosin Farm
Cam Kidd Perennials
City’s Edge Farm
Compost Education Centre
Crooked Fir Farm & Nursery
Fireweed Farm
Growceries
Joyful Agriculture
Little Crescent Farm

We host this event to highlight the importance of locally produced food and ecological gardening practices; support local organic growers; and supply difficult-to-find organic plant varieties to the community.
We’re Hiring: Marketing and Communications Assistant (Funding Dependent)

Please note: This position is dependent upon Canada Summer Jobs Funding. The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a charitable, not for profit organization that provides composting, organic gardening and conservation education to residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD). Work Week: The workweek is currently Wednesday-Saturday, 9:00am – 4:30pm, (30-hour per week with a paid…

Please note: This position is dependent upon Canada Summer Jobs Funding.

The Compost Education Centre (CEC) is a charitable, not for profit organization that provides composting, organic gardening and conservation education to residents of the Capital Regional District (CRD).

Work Week: The workweek is currently Wednesday-Saturday, 9:00am – 4:30pm, (30-hour per week with a paid 30-minute lunch break; 60 hr pay period).

Job Start Date: April 27, 2022, runs for 16 weeks.

Job End Date: August 14, 2022

A total of: 480 hours

Wage: $19.39 p/hr

For More Details, Click the Link Provided Below.

Marketing and Communications Assistant Co-op Job Description 2022
Charlie’s Dirt Day Read Along

This month we’d also like to share a read along of Charlie’s Dirt Day by Andrew Larson, with illustrations by Jacqueline Huson-Verrelli. This is one of our favourite compost-related kids’s books here at the CEC, for younger primary school aged children. It’s about a boy who discovers that compost can help him grow fruits and vegetables in…

This month we’d also like to share a read along of Charlie’s Dirt Day by Andrew Larson, with illustrations by Jacqueline Huson-Verrelli. This is one of our favourite compost-related kids’s books here at the CEC, for younger primary school aged children. It’s about a boy who discovers that compost can help him grow fruits and vegetables in containers on his balcony! This book is suitable for children ages 3-7.

If you know of any child and/or youth resources (books, zines, videos, workshops, ect.) that would pique our young audiences interests, please let Elora know via email at education@compost.bc.ca.