The Midnight Sun Award, a special recognition presented when multiple nominees demonstrate exceptional contributions to the field, was awarded to Mike Monterusso, previous Executive Director of the Alaska Botanical Garden.
Monterusso dedicated 14 years to the Alaska Botanical Garden, including eight years as Executive Director, and played a significant role in its growth and evolution.
During his tenure, the Garden was transformed into a year-round attraction with fall and winter events like BOOtanical and Winter Lights. The Garden expanded their public programming by developing an educational CSA program, summer camps, art classes for children and adults, yoga in the garden, and, of course, many classes on gardening.
Monterusso also expanded partnerships with organizations such as Bird Treatment and Learning Center, reimagined the Spring Garden Conference & Expo to engage a broader community, and created new opportunities for artists to bring their work into the Garden—including spectacular installations like Night & Day by the Myth Makers.
Under Monterusso’s leadership, the organization grew from four permanent staff to a team of more than a dozen full-time employees, along with seasonal staff.
The Midnight Sun Award recognizes Mike Monterusso’s dedication to the Alaska Botanical Garden, his work building community partnerships, and his lasting contributions to the organization and the broader Anchorage community.