McMaster University’s main campus in Hamilton is famous for its green spaces, and the natural beauty of Hamilton was one of the key reasons the University chose to move here from Toronto. McMaster Campus contains numerous outdoor spaces that provide areas to study, exercise, and relax in. These green spaces can contribute to creativity, motivation, and well-being and can also benefit local ecology. Some of these outdoor spaces include Miller’s Grove, Faculty Hollow, and the Adam Chiaravalle Native Bee Nesting Garden. However, ongoing management and restoration is essential to preserve this natural beauty and enhance the natural environment on campus. Read more about Nature at McMaster’s main campus initiatives below.
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McMaster Teaching and Community Garden
The original community garden is located on the north side of the General Science Building (GSB) across from the Refectory and Bridges Café. The design features two raised planting beds, two street level beds, and permeable paving pathways. The garden is next to the GSB outdoor classroom, allowing it to be used as a working “lab” by faculty and students. In 2025, a new garden was constructed behind Burke Science Building (BSB) to complement the existing one, providing a more accessible garden space.
The McMaster Teaching & Community Garden is a University sustainability initiative with the objective of facilitating local food production while providing teaching and learning opportunities and engaging the McMaster and greater Hamilton community. The MTCG is the product of collaboration between McMaster’s Integrated Science (iSci) Program and the Office of Sustainability. The ongoing success of the MTCG is a result of the outstanding contributions from countless students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community who have supported its growth and development.
Miller's Grove
Located behind the alumni field, this outdoor space and classroom serves as a memorial to Les Miller, Manager of Operations and Facilities in the Department of Athletics & Recreation from 1988 to 2007.
The space takes advantage of the University’s close proximity to Cootes Paradise, providing a rejuvenating nature space for relaxation and observation. Miller’s Grove is filled with pollinator-friendly native plants, and Nature at McMaster volunteers have planted native trees and shrubs to replace the invasive European Buckthorn that had taken over this area.
Adam Chiaravalle Native Bee Nesting Garden
In the Spring and Fall of 2023, McMaster’s first native garden dedicated to ground nesting bees and other pollinators was established. The project was designed by students from Sustainability 3S03 with support from the Academic Sustainability Programs Office, McMaster Grounds, Nature at McMaster, the McMaster Biology Greenhouse and the Dr. Susan Dudley Bee Lab from the Department of Biology. The area was planted and seeded with native flowers and shrubs to provide food sources for our native pollinators. Bare ground and patchiness were prioritized to provide ample space for ground nesting bees (making up over 80% of all bee species in Ontario!). A sand pit was also added for rare sand specialist bees.
The garden is located behind Alumni Memorial Hall and beside the Indigenous Circle and Cootes Paradise. This garden has been dedicated to Adam Chiaravalle, McMaster alumni, staff, and long time supporter of pollinators and sustainability on campus.
McMaster Pollinator Garden
In the summer of 2018 a native pollinator garden was installed outside of the Life Sciences Building. Science students Katrina Cantera and Molly Bradford came up with the idea for the garden. The pollinator garden is home to native plants that attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, bats and moths. The garden contains 12 different species of native plants, such as serviceberry shrubs, butterfly weed, milkweed, cardinal flower and goldenrod. The garden was relocated in 2022 to the east side of the Ivor Wynne Centres High Performance Training Space.
Berklin Drive Ravine
In 2023, Nature at McMaster adopted the Berklin Drive Ravine, a green space next to campus between Mayfair Crescent and Dalewood Crescent, through the City of Hamilton’s Adopt-A-Park Program. Through this program, Nature at McMaster will help to maintain the Berklin Drive Ravine and keep it clean and safe.
The Berklin Drive Ravine features a rich ravine deciduous forest, with mature Tulip, Northern Red Oak, and Hackberry trees. Westdale Creek runs through the ravine, which is a cool water, spring fed creek.
Since 2023, Nature at McMaster has worked to remove invasive species and plant native species in this natural area.
Faculty Hollow
Areas of mown lawn on campus provide little to no habitat for biodiversity. That’s why Nature at McMaster supported the decision to reduce mowing at Faculty Hollow. In areas that were previously mown, Nature at McMaster volunteers planted dozens of native trees and shrubs to rewild the area. These trees will provide food and shelter to local wildlife and contribute to the health of the local ecosystem.