2025 Monarch Awards

We are pleased to announce the 2025 Monarch Award Recipients:

Chrysalis recipients are Amanda Beck, Christina Bilobrk, Chris Corsini, Sherri Brown, Joanna Dyer, Jason Ireland, Kunal Kishore, Cyrill Milea, Corinne Opthof, Megan Platts, Karen Shea and Averil Smith.

Caterpillar recipients are Amanda Conway, Corina Macdonald, Nancy Millar, Kelly O’Neill, Rhu Sherrard, Tanya Schustyk and Joy White.

Congratulations on a Great Start to Yeuk-Ling Fung, Sara Harrison and Sarah Lampson.

2024 Monarch Awards

Hamilton Celebrates 2024 Monarch Award Recipients for Ecological Gardening Excellence

Hamilton, ON – The 2024 Monarch Awards recognized twelve Hamilton gardeners for their outstanding contributions to native-plant and habitat-friendly gardening. Out of 26 applicants, 21 gardens were visited by judges, resulting in eight full Monarch Awards and four Caterpillar-level awards. This year’s Monarch recipients include Carrie Butcher & Timothy Owen, Sherri & Tim Farnham, Jessica Gale, Anne Goodbody, Steve Hill, Karen Lawrence, Pam MacDonald, and Michal Shahar—highlighting both new applicants and returning gardeners who’ve made remarkable transformations.

The Caterpillar-level awards went to Laura Byron, Jessie Chang, Zoe Frances, and Patricia Groleau, recognizing their impressive progress in challenging spaces or as beginners. The awards will be presented on September 9 at the Hamilton Naturalists Club meeting and again on September 14 at Dundurn Park. Now in its ninth year, the Monarch Awards continue to promote ecological gardening practices that support biodiversity, soil health, and rainwater management, with support from the Hamilton Naturalists Club, Environment Hamilton, and Royal Botanical Gardens.

2022 Monarch Awards

2022 Monarch Award Recipients Celebrate Ecological Gardening Excellence

Hamilton, ON – The 2022 Monarch Awards program has recognized 17 local gardeners for their dedication to sustainable, pollinator-friendly gardening. Out of 24 applicants, six received the full Monarch Award—double the number from 2021—and eleven received Caterpillar Awards, acknowledging early-stage efforts or progress in challenging spaces.

Monarch Award winners include Jamie Hunter, Jean Jacobs, Kelly Jamieson, Rose Janson, Shirley Rodrigues, and Holly Tasker. Caterpillar Award recipients are Heather Bond, Anne Ecobichon-Morris, Victoria Ellis, Laura Farr, Stevie Kenyon, Kirsten McCarthy, Alice Newstead, Tanya Ritchie, Phillipe-Alexandre Senecal, Jeff Stock, and Karen Lawrence. Since 2016, the Monarch Awards, supported by the Hamilton Naturalists Club, Environment Hamilton, and Royal Botanical Gardens, have celebrated gardeners who prioritize habitat creation, native plants, rainwater management, and soil health—shaping a greener Hamilton one garden at a time.

2021 Monarch and Caterpillar Award Winners Announced

Hamilton, ON – The Monarch Awards team is pleased to announce the 2021 recipients of Hamilton’s garden recognition program, honouring environmentally responsible gardeners who create thriving, pollinator-friendly spaces. Out of 26 applicants, three gardens were recognized with the full Monarch Award, and ten received Caterpillar Awards for their notable progress and potential.

Monarch Award recipients for 2021 are Carmen Orlandis, Sue and Gord Taylor, and Clair and Jeff Wiersma. Caterpillar Awards went to Allison Barnes, Jessie Blake, Amy Gowling, Jennifer Lenoir, Valerie Meneguzzi, Anna Miller, Nadine Nesbitt, Alice Newstead, Martha Novoselac, and Catherine Oppedisano. These gardeners exemplify the growing movement toward sustainable, nature-supporting garden practices across Hamilton.

2020 Monarch and Caterpillar Award Winners Celebrated at Dundurn Castle

Hamilton, ON – Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 Monarch and Caterpillar Awards were successfully presented on September 17 in an outdoor ceremony at Dundurn Castle. Over the summer, judges Charlie Briggs, Erin Mallon, Sean James, and Michael Albanese visited 22 gardens, ultimately recognizing six outstanding gardeners with the Monarch Award and ten with the Caterpillar Award. While the traditional City Hall celebration was not possible, the spirit of the awards remained strong, highlighting the passion and progress of Hamilton’s nature-friendly gardeners.

Monarch Awards went to Lucy Dubeckyj, Debbie Lindeman and Dennis Price, Susan MacMillan, Barbara McKean and John Hannah, Angelique-Marie Mori, and Beth Stormont and Sandra Root for their thriving, biodiverse gardens. The Caterpillar Award recognized beginner and small-space gardeners making exceptional strides, including Laura Anderson, Matthew Chlebowski and Stacey Arseneau, Nancy Hurst, Morag Johnston, Diane LeBreton-Gerrish and Blair Gerrish, Ricardo Lozano, Elsa Marques and family, Michael Schulte, Holly Tasker, Allyn Walsh, and Maia Whitman and family.

2019 Monarch Award Winners Honoured at Hamilton City Hall

Hamilton, ON – On October 9, 2019, Mayor Fred Eisenberger presented this year’s Monarch and Caterpillar Awards to local eco-conscious gardeners at a Hamilton City Council meeting. Now in its second year at City Hall, the ceremony highlights the growing recognition of sustainable, pollinator-friendly gardening as both an ecological and social benefit. Recipients were celebrated not only for the beauty of their gardens, but for their commitment to biodiversity and community resilience. One enthusiastic awardee even took the opportunity to encourage councillors to start gardening themselves.

Monarch Award recipients included Melissa Creasey (Sherman), Kate Geroux (Albion Falls), James Honey and Alex Stewart (Gibson & Landsdown), Janet Mackey (Yorkshire Heights, Dundas), and Ann Martin (Downtown Waterdown). Caterpillar Award winners were Michael Albanese, Deborah Boyd, Laurie Brady, Tina Cooper, Lucy Dubeckyj, Lorraine Moss, and Kevin Wydysz. These passionate gardeners are helping to redefine what it means to create a truly meaningful green space in Hamilton.

2018 Monarch Awards Announced

Joanne Tunnicliffe Wins 2018 Monarch Award for Eco-Friendly Gardening

Hamilton, ON – From a pool of 16 semi-finalists, the 2018 Monarch Award has been awarded to Joanne Tunnicliffe of Dundas for her nature-rich garden on Hopkins Court. Featuring a rain garden, bird habitat, water features, and native plants making up 50% of the space, Joanne’s garden impressed judges with its ecological value and thoughtful design. Returning finalist Nadia Coakley (Yarmouth Court) earned first runner-up, and Claudette Sims (National Drive) took second runner-up for their impressive, pollinator-supporting landscapes. Nine Monarch and seven Caterpillar Award semi-finalists were reviewed, with three gardens in each category visited by judges.

The new Caterpillar Award, recognizing beginner gardeners and small space efforts, was won by Anne McArthur (East 36th), who transformed her yard into a pollinator haven with her children. Runner-up awards went to Fran Frazier (Alice Street) for her resilient shade garden, and Chris Bocz (Main and King) for a vibrant urban farm. Winners received hand-crafted plaques by local woodworker Trisha Fraser, and may be featured in the Pollinator Paradise blog. Organizers thank all 2018 entrants for showcasing sustainable, beautiful spaces that bring biodiversity back to Hamilton neighbourhoods.

2017 Monarch Awards

Amy Taylor Wins 2017 Monarch Award for Sustainable Gardening in Hamilton

Hamilton, ON – The 2017 Monarch Award has been presented to Amy Taylor of Crown Point, a returning finalist whose compact Edgemont Street garden blends native plant diversity with herbalist charm. Taylor’s garden, rich in blooms from spring to fall, features creative wildlife amenities, whimsical decor, and sustainable infrastructure such as composters and water barrels—all artfully integrated into a small urban space. Judges praised the garden’s balance of ecological function and visual appeal, noting its thoughtful design and year-round habitat value.

Four finalists were also recognized for their outstanding efforts: Matthew Mills (Dundas) for his wild, self-sustaining native garden; Katie West (Dundas) for transforming a steep slope into a pollinator- and turtle-friendly refuge; Nadia Coakley (West Hamilton) for her vibrant, clover-filled front yard and growing native collection; and Kelly Jamieson (Crown Point) for a densely planted urban garden that blends native species with family-friendly functionality. Entrants received pollinator signs and early access to the Hamilton Naturalist Club’s native plant sale, while winners were awarded custom wooden plaques by local artisan Trisha Fraser.this is the