Awards
2025 City of Novato "Sustainability Superstars" Award
Charlotte Torgovitsky has transformed an acre in Novato’s Indian Valley into a thriving ecological sanctuary through her organization, Home Ground Habitats. Drawing from a lifetime connection to nature that began in her childhood
gardens, Charlotte now leads a team dedicated to creating sustainable landscapes using native plants and drought-tolerant Mediterranean species. Her pesticide-free demonstration gardens serve as both an Organic Plant Nursery and Educational Center where she shares her extensive knowledge through plant propagation classes, workshops, and summer camps for children.
This work has significantly increased local biodiversity, creating essential habitats for butterflies, bees, and birds. Recognized by master gardeners throughout the region as an expert in her field, Charlotte stands as a true sustainability champion whose dedication to ecological gardening practices continues to inspire and educate the Novato community.
2023 Irrigation Association Outstanding Public Engagement Award
The Irrigation Association named Marin Water (MMWD) as the recipient of the Smart Water Application Technologies 2023 Outstanding Public Engagement Award.
The award is based on the Watershed Approach to Landscaping Program. It recognizes water providers who engage and educate the public on smart, efficient irrigation technologies and practices.
Charlotte Torgovitsky is a contributing author of the WAL handbook and a teacher for this program at College of Marin.
2024 Marin Conservation League John M McPhail, Jr. Green Business Award
The John M McPhail, Jr. Green Business Award is awarded to a Marin enterprise that exemplifies environmental sensitivity. This award honors Charlotte Torgovitsky and Home Ground Habitats, the native plant nursery and habitat gardening educational facility she founded in Novato. The nursery propagates and sells native plants, conducts workshops for teachers and home gardeners, and participates in habitat garden events. It also donates plants to restoration sites, school gardens and the California Native Plant Society’s native plant sales. In a time of climate crisis and prioritization of home firescaping, Home Ground Habitats provides important resources for sustaining local biodiversity.
