The Environmentalist of the Year (EOY) Awards is an annual event held in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates the efforts of individuals, groups, and businesses dedicated to protecting, restoring, and enhancing the environment. This year, the awards are hosted by McMaster University.
Event Details:
Date: March 27, 2026 – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: LR Wilson Hall, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8
Core Values
- Environmental Stewardship
The EOY Awards value and promote the protection, restoration, and enhancement of the environment in the City of Hamilton. We recognize individuals, groups, and businesses that have shown outstanding commitment and leadership in environmental activity. - Community Engagement
The EOY Awards encourage community involvement in environmental stewardship. We recognize the efforts of individuals and groups who have volunteered during restoration events, led their own conservation projects, or otherwise engaged or mobilized their community in the arena of environmental stewardship. - Youth Empowerment
The EOY Awards believe in the power of the youth to make a difference. We award three youth awards to recognize young individuals, groups, or projects that exhibit leadership and exceptional achievement in planning and implementing a program that protects and regenerates the natural environment. - Recognition of Excellence
The EOY Awards value excellence in environmental efforts. We recognize distinguished service that results in exceptional environmental achievement, including the preservation of a species or area, environmental stewardship or restoration of an area in Hamilton, raising public awareness on conservation, sustainable leadership, or another particular environmental issue.
Tiered Sponsorships
1. Planted Sponsor
As a primary event sponsor, your generous contribution of $6000 will fund the operations and execution of the EOY Awards. Your support will ensure a successful EOY Awards event and pay for beautiful artist-designed plaques, and any remaining funds will be reserved for future EOY Awards initiatives. As our primary sponsor, your program will be prominently acknowledged during the event and across our promotional materials.
Branding Opportunities:
- Branding featured on photo wall at the event
- Logo placement on our website, banners, and promotional materials
- Mention during the event as the primary sponsor
- Opportunity to provide a brief welcome message during the event
- Recognition in social media and press releases
2. Water Sponsor
With this sponsorship opportunity, you can design your own award and present it to a member of your organization or program. As a Water Sponsor, you can choose to fund a bursary of your choice or cover the costs of the plaque and award expenditures. You will also have the opportunity to select the recipient based on a model or criteria of your choosing, allowing you to reward those whose efforts align with your values directly
Branding Opportunities:
- Recognition in social media and press releases
- Logo placement on the award and promotional materials related to the award
- Mention during award presentation
- Opportunity to present the award
3. Sprout Sponsor (Youth Awards)
The Sprout Sponsorship tier provides an opportunity for you to encourage youth in conservation and support their growth. With this option, you can choose to provide a bursary for each youth award or cover the cost of the plaques. The suggested sponsorship amount for this tier is $1000. This covers a bursary for the award recipient and production support.
Branding Opportunities:
- Recognition in social media and press releases
- Logo placement on the awards and promotional materials related to Youth Awards
- Mention during the award presentation
- Opportunity to present the awards
Award Descriptions:
The Post-Secondary Youth Conservation Award recognizes post-secondary youth who have demonstrated leadership in environmental protection at a local level. This applies to individuals who have shown exceptional engagement, leadership, or innovation in stewardship or restoration events in the City of Hamilton.
The Environmental Youth Group or School Public Service Award recognizes youth groups or educational entities with distinguished public service in environmental achievement. This can include a school group, a club, or any group of youth that have participated in conservation or restoration efforts in the City of Hamilton. This award is open to elementary, middle, and high school-age groups.
Finally, the Youth Eco Project Award recognizes individual youth, groups, or fledgling businesses that exhibit devotion and achievement in planning and implementing a program to protect and restore the natural environment. This is a project-based award and is accompanied by a bursary the support further projects.
Sunshine Sponsor
Sponsors at this tier support the EOY Awards and contribute to the success of the event by helping to cover event expenditures. This sponsorship tier is flexible, so contact us for a personalized agreement.
Branding Opportunities:
- Social media recognition
- Mention during the award presentation
Partnerships
The EOY Awards are organized by a volunteer committee led by Nature at McMaster and chaired by representatives from multiple environmental organizations. They value the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving environmental restoration and conservation.
