Welcome to Halton Region Master Gardeners. We are a member of the Master Gardeners of Ontario (MGOI Inc.), a registered non-profit organization.
Our volunteers are experienced gardeners who have studied horticulture extensively and regularly upgrade our skills through technical training. With this training and continuing education, Master Gardeners provide sustainable horticultural advice to the gardening public. We have diverse horticultural backgrounds and love to share our passion for gardening with the communities of:
- Ancaster
- Burlington
- Dundas
- Flamborough
- Georgetown
- Hamilton
- Milton
- Oakville
- Waterdown
GARDENING EVENTS IN OUR HALTON & HAMILTON COMMUNITIES
2026 Monarch Awards
Hamilton Monarch Awards Celebrate Gardens Growing for Nature
HAMILTON, ONTARIO — October 21, 2026 — Eighty-five gardeners, volunteers and community supporters gathered at Dundas Town Hall on October 19 to celebrate the 2026 Hamilton Monarch Awards, recognizing residents who are making their front yards more welcoming to nature.
Co-chaired by Janet Mackey and Kate Sault, the program received 59 applications this year. Twenty-six gardeners received Monarch recognition, while another 32 were recognized at the Starting the Journey, Caterpillar or Chrysalis levels.
Led by Halton Master Gardeners, the Monarch Awards celebrate ecological gardening and encourage residents to create gardens that support biodiversity. Rather than ranking gardens from good to better, the four recognition levels reflect a Journey, acknowledging each gardener’s efforts and opportunities to do more for nature.
The season began with applications in May, followed by garden visits from July through August. Volunteer assessment teams visited eligible front-yard gardens and prepared individual written assessments, highlighting each garden’s strengths and offering practical suggestions for further growth. The process encouraged gardeners to build on what they were already doing well while exploring new ways to support pollinators, insects, birds and other wildlife.
Lynda Lukasik Director of the City of Hamilton’s Office of Climate Change was the Celebration’s guest speaker. She spoke about the importance of trees, highlighting their role in supporting a healthy natural environment. The evening brought participants together to recognize their contributions, share ideas and encourage one another to continue gardening for nature.
The program reflects an important message: when individual gardens provide food, shelter and habitat for wildlife, they can collectively help create a network of green spaces that supports biodiversity across Hamilton.
The Monarch Awards began in 2017 and were relaunched under the leadership of Halton Master Gardeners in 2025, with a renewed focus on residential front yards. The program continues to build awareness of how everyday gardening choices can contribute to a healthier natural environment.
