Make Friends & Remove Invasive Ivy at Dickson Woods, North Saanich

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE OF THIS ACTIVITY HAS CHANGED FROM AUG 23 to DEC 5

Help Steward Dickson Woods, an Urban Forest in North Saanich 🌱

JOIN US to connect with others in nature & engage in environmental action removing invasive English Ivy! Together, we’ll give native trees & shrubs a chance to thrive and strengthen this forest. 💪

Brought to you by Victoria Airport Authority & our charity Green Teams of Canada.

NO EXPERIENCE needed. ALL AGES & abilities welcome! Just bring yourself, curiosity & willingness to get your hands a little dirty 🌿. We'll provide instruction, tools, gloves & snacks! Comes for as long as you are able to!

This activity runs RAIN 🌧️ or SHINE

MEETING LOCATION 📍
Meet across the road from the address 1234 Willingdon Rd at the entrance to the Dickson Woods forest. There is a crosswalk with flashing lights for you to safely cross the road.

Leaders from Greater Victoria Green Team will be at the entrance to the site to help direct you in and provide parking directions.

👉 Google Map Pin: Click here to view meeting spot location
Look for our directional signs to help you find us!

WHY JOIN A GREEN TEAM ACTIVITY? 🌳

You’ll walk away having:

Met new people & felt part of something bigger than yourself
Learned about local ecosystems & environmental issues
Made a tangible difference for the environment
Spent quality time outdoors (great for mental health!)
Gotten some fresh air & exercise
Earned volunteer hours (if you need them)
Enjoyed delicious snacks 🍪 🧃 & warm, welcoming vibes
Had fun, even if it rains 🙂

The Greater Victoria Green Team is a program of the charity Green Teams of Canada. We connect & empower people by organizing hands-on, inclusive, safe & impactful environmental activities. Whether it’s your 1st coming out or your 50th, you’ll be guided every step of the way.

Want to know what to expect at an activity? Check out our Greater Victoria Green Team online summaries/blogs

STEPS TO SIGN UP 📝

✅ Step 1: Confirm you're able to attend!

Please only sign up if you're 100% committed to participating. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as soon as possible. Our activities often fill up & have waitlists, & timely updates help open spots for others who’d love to join.

We also pack tools, supplies & buy snacks in advance based on RSVPs so last-minute changes (within 24-48 hrs) are hard to accommodate, so we appreciate your care in registering thoughtfully & honouring the shared effort that makes these activities possible.

✅ Step 2: Registration (one-time only)

If this is your first-ever Green Team activity, please complete our Volunteer Registration Form:

All new volunteers CLICK 👉 Volunteer Registration Form

You only need to do this once.
This form registers you as a volunteer with our charity, it does not sign you up for activities

✅ Step 3: RSVP

1. Click "Attend” on this activity page; or,
2. Email 📧 [email protected]

Update your RSVP as soon as possible if something changes & you're no longer able to participate

To ensure fairness for everyone, participants who miss 2+ activities without updating their RSVP will be placed on the waitlist (if one exists) and added as space becomes available.

FLOW OF THE DAY ⏱️

9:45 am - Arrival, sign-in, grab gloves
10 am - Safety talk, education & demonstration
11:30 am - Snack break
12:45 pm - Wrap-up & pack up
1 pm - Sign-out, activity ends

WHAT TO BRING 🧥👖

Please come prepared for outdoor, hands-on work:

Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Long sleeves & long pants (to protect from thorny plants + bugs)
Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots
Refillable water bottle
Rain jacket (just in case!)
Hat & weather-appropriate layers
Your own gloves/tools/safety glasses if you prefer (optional - we provide everything you need)

WHAT WE PROVIDE 🧤🪏

We’ve got you covered with:

Gloves, tools & safety glasses
Instruction, safety talk & environmental education
Friendly, experienced staff support
Snacks & refreshments
Photos & videos of the day
Volunteer reference letters (on request after the activity)

GETTING THERE 🚌 🚗 🚲

Parking:

There is parking available on the shoulder of Willingdon Road. We will help direct you when you arrive. Please head towards the YYJ Pollinator Garden (1234 Willingdon Rd) and pull over to the side of the road there.

Cycling:

Plan your route with the CRD Bike Map

Bus:

There is a bus stop nearby at Willingdon rd x East Saanich rd
Plan your trip with BC Transit Victoria

Carpooling:

Use the “comments” section below to offer or request a ride
Staff can share information but are unable to coordinate carpools
Please prioritize clear communication & personal safety
Staff cannot offer rides

WASHROOMS 🚻
There is no public washroom at this location so please use a washroom before arriving.
The nearest washrooms are inside Victoria Airport (about a 15 minute walk)

COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PARTNER 💚

This activity is made possible through our partnership with Victoria Airport Authority. Their leadership, ecological knowledge & financial support combined with our community engagement expertise, allows us to bring people together through hands-on environmental action that supports both community well-being & ecological health!

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 🧡

We acknowledge with respect & gratitude that this activity takes place on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. These lands have been stewarded for thousands of years, & we are grateful to be guests here & to learn through caring for the land together.

QUESTIONS ❓ 📧

Email: [email protected]

We’d love to have you join us. Come as you are & leave knowing you made a real difference to yourself, your community & the environment!!