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Description
We live in a quiet 77 acre private nature preserve in the Highlands, north west of Victoria. It lays adjacent to Gowlland Tod wilderness park and includes Douglas Fir and Cedar forests, Arbutus groves, hilltop meadows with Manzanitas and orchids, streams and wetlands. It is our family's home and home to all the natural inhabitants including deer, squirrels, raccoons, tree frogs, ravens, owls, and hummingbirds.
Our home is located in the traditional territory of the WSANEC people.
The Sanctuary is not a business, Workawayers will not be involved in any business related tasks.
Our focus is primarily on stewardship of the land and sustainable living. Land projects include removing invasive plants to allow native species to thrive, and protecting streams and wetlands. Workawayers will also have an opportunity to assist with firewood and trail maintenance.
A secondary focus is light assistance around the house and assisting with growing vegetables and herbs for our own kitchen as well as recycling and composting.
We welcome guests from different countries, and sharing dishes and languages from other cultures.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
Help around the house
Interests
Videography
Events & social
Culture
Sustainability
Self development
Plant care
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Gardening
Cooking & food
Architecture
Photography
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Camping
Mountain
Sailing / Boating
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Victoria area has many cultural activities throughout the year, including seasonal music festivals, and art and craft fairs. The Saanich Fair is held in a nearby rural area, and where we live in the Highlands is the Highlands Fling, a community building event held every year around Labour Day. We often are able to make a vehicle available to Workawayers who drive.
We like to share our knowledge of the unique natural flora and fauna of this area, including Arbutus trees, tree frogs and hummingbirds which are found here. We also are able to teach Workawayers how to grow plants and manage garden compost.
Our experience is that people from abroad are eager to learn about life in Canada, and we in turn have an opportunity to learn about their home country. One way we like to do this is to offer guests who are interested an opportunity to help create a meal from their country that we all share. We especially appreciate the after dinner talks where get to know what makes us distinct as well as what we have in common.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The hosts are in their 70's and 80's and would very much appreciate from time to time assistance around the house and property.
Workawayers will typically be working together as a team.
Tasks can help with processing compost and recycling, splitting and stacking firewood, trail maintenance, and removing invasive plants from natural areas. Workawayers will have an opportunity to learn about starting, potting, planting out and maintaining herbs, flowers and vegetables by assisting with gardening.
Work takes place in a quiet beautiful natural environment bordering large wilderness parks, yet only 1/2 hour from the city of Victoria.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
We enjoy conversations with guests from other cultures and learning what we have in common. Michael's wife Mahadevi is fluent in French.
Accommodation
Workawayers will stay in staff rooms in the house.
Each has their own room, shared toilet, and common meeting area. There is a private shower nearby.
We provide 3 meals a day for Workawayers- breakfast, lunch and dinner. Workawayers help with serving and dishes. As much as possible we cater to those with special dietary needs.
What else ...
Workawayers have many opportunities to enjoy time in nature and city life.
We live next to large wilderness parks with an extensive trail network accessible directly from here.
The City of Victoria is a vibrant small city with a picturesque harbour and historic Old Town. There are cultural events throughout the year.
For responsible drivers we do offer use of a vehicle for trips out of the property on days off.
As far as house rules, we do not allow dogs since this is a nature sanctuary with wildlife close to the house. Otherwise we request respect for the peace and quiet that others come here for.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have high speed fibre optic internet service in and around the house where Workawayers live. We have a room within the house dedicated to the use of Workawayers, with good internet connection.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
