Hope Grows Here

Transforming a Heritage Barn into a Hub of Conservation & Connection

Hope Grows Here: Transforming a Heritage Barn into a Hub of Conservation & Connection

A Vision for Conservation, Education, and Community

At A Rocha Canada, we envision a world where communities flourish alongside nature. For over 20 years, the Brooksdale Environmental Centre in Surrey, BC, has inspired thousands to care deeply about the earth and others through practical immersion experiences in nature for people of all ages. Whether it’s growing food, studying threatened species, planting trees, or attending a retreat/workshop – when people are equipped to steward the earth and work together, both people and places are transformed.

Today, we invite you to be part of something truly extraordinary: renovating A Rocha’s well loved 1930s heritage barn into a four seasons Conservation Learning Centre and Hospitality Hub!

Why This Matters

In our fast paced modern age, it’s common to feel frenzied. We need places that connect us to history, to nature, and to community. A Rocha has the privilege of being such a place, and together with you, has an opportunity to invest in a renovation that will serve more people and provide a better experience year-round through the winter months. Currently, indoor educational space is limited to the Guest House living room, accommodating just 40 people and restricting our ability to host groups, such as schools classes, community workshops, and retreats. Additionally, kitchen capacity caps at 40, even though demand often surpasses 100 visitors.

With your support, the renovated barn will be equipped for the next 100 years with:

A Farm Market Café and Welcome Area to orient visitors and program participants
An accessible wheelchair lift and public washrooms.
Conservation and Education Teams Office, lab, and studio space.
A Commercial Kitchen for teaching, processing farm produce (think delicious salsas, soups and sauces), community workshops, and hospitality.
An interactive Multipurpose Event Space in the old hay loft

All this in a barn seismically upgraded and energy efficient, blending the best of heritage value and modern building technology.

Join us in this exciting phase of growth! Your generous investment will restore a historic landmark. It will expand capacity for impactful, hopeful conservation, education, and work. And because A Rocha isn’t only local, it also establishes a hub of hospitality and inspiration for visitors, volunteers, and groups across Canada and around the world.

Make a Difference

Donate Now

We are thankful to everyone who has helped make A Rocha Canada what it is today. And we are excited for the support of YOU who have led our Barn Restoration fundraising to date, with generous gifts and pledges of all sizes.

Expanding Impact and Sustainability

Your participation in this transformation will not only enhance the breadth and depth of A Rocha’s community engagement but also significantly boost A Rocha’s fiscal sustainability through increased earned revenue.

As City of Surrey planned development beside the centre decreases film rental income in years ahead, will you help A Rocha proactively diversify income streams to provide an increasingly stable fiscal foundation for decades to come?

In Remembrance of Thea

Thea’s Playscape is envisioned to be a place for children and those young at heart to enjoy creation at A Rocha in a uniquely designed, peaceful, and adventurous way. It is dedicated in memory of the BC Directors’ beloved daughter, who went to be with Jesus far too soon at the age of ten.

Thea Jeane Stewart Anderson loved to play outdoors, befriending creatures and bringing a peaceful presence with her wherever she went.

Your donation supports barn improvement and community engagement.

For over 20 years, A Rocha Canada has been transforming people and places through hands-on conservation projects, environmental education programs and sustainable agriculture initiatives across the country.