Make Friends & Remove Invasive Plants at Esquimalt's Earth Day in Highrock Park!
Details
Help Steward Esquimalt's Highrock Park as part of the Township of Esquimalt's Earth Day celebration! 🌍 🌱
JOIN US to connect with others in nature & engage in environmental action removing invasive plants (mainly English ivy & Himalayan Blackberry)! Together, we’ll give native trees & shrubs a chance to thrive and strengthen this forest. 💪
Brought to you by the Township of Esquimalt & 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 📍
We will be meeting near the entrance of the park by Cairn Road.
👉 Google map pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JD82UaSLsFW8a2AV9
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
- Click "Attend” on this activity page; or,
- Email 📧 [[Sara@GreenTeamsCanada.ca](mailto:Sara@GreenTeamsCanada.ca)]
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 ⏱️
- 10:45 am - Arrival, sign-in, grab gloves
- 11 am - Safety talk, education & demonstration
- 12:30 pm - Snack break
- 1:45 pm - Wrap-up & pack up
- 2 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 limited street parking on Cairn Rd. and Matheson Ave. in the residential areas surrounding the park.
- Please walk, bike, or bus if possible!
Cycling:
- Plan your route with the CRD Bike Map
- Covered bike parking available on site
Bus:
- Plan your bus route 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 will be two porta-potties inside the park for the Earth Day celebration event!
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PARTNER 💚
This activity is made possible through our partnership with the Township of Esquimalt. 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 and gratitude the traditional territories of the Songhees, W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, the Lekwungen speaking Songhees and Esquimalt peoples upon which land this activity will take place. For many generations, they have maintained a deep connection to the land, waters and all living things. As guests on this land, we are grateful for the opportunity to learn.
QUESTIONS ❓ 📧
Email: [Sara@GreenTeamsCanada.ca](mailto:Sara@GreenTeamsCanada.ca)
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!