Hamilton gardeners were recognized for creating front yards that offer habitat for wildlife at the 2026 Monarch Awards celebration in Dundas.

According to a Halton Region Master Gardeners release dated October 21 and published by local outlets on October 23, 85 gardeners, volunteers and supporters attended the October 19 event at Dundas Town Hall.

The program received 59 applications. Organizers reported 26 gardens at the Monarch level and 32 at the Starting the Journey, Caterpillar or Chrysalis levels. Those figures account for 58 recognitions; the release does not explain the difference from the application total.

Recognition follows garden assessments

Halton Master Gardeners runs the program to encourage ecological gardening. Its four levels acknowledge progress rather than rank one garden against another.

Applications opened in May, followed by volunteer visits to eligible front yards in July and August. Participants received written habitat-improvement feedback.

Source: Halton Region Master Gardeners release, reproduced by DundasToday and FlamboroughToday on October 23.

Editorial illustration of a wildlife-friendly front garden; not a photograph of an award recipient’s property.