The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is pleased to announce that this year’s Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award has been awarded to two outstanding educators: Matt Timberlake and Jen Cork, educators at Wellington Heights Secondary School.
Matt and Jen were nominated by their colleagues in recognition of their deep commitment to environmental education and sustainability. As co-leaders of the CELP program, they have helped hundreds of students build a strong connection to the natural world through experiential, outdoor learning.
Through CELP, the two teachers deliver a semester-long program based at Luther Marsh, where students take part in hands-on environmental learning opportunities. They also help coordinate the Ducks Unlimited education program, where elementary students learn about wetlands and marshlands. In partnership with the Wellington County Green Legacy program, CELP students helped transplant an incredible 75,000 seedlings this year alone.
Beyond CELP, Matt leads the school’s Ontario EcoSchools initiatives, consistently helping the school achieve gold or platinum status, and promotes sustainable practices such as using “good-on-one-side” paper and organizing Earth Day clean-up activities. As Department Head of Experiential Learning, he also champions outdoor education opportunities across the school.
Jen spearheads the school’s recycling improvement efforts, currently working on a project to enhance bin access, update signage, and lead a waste audit to better divert school waste. She also coordinates the school’s Grade 9 Camp — an inclusive, nature-based transition program that welcomes incoming students with meaningful outdoor experiences.
The Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award is presented annually to a UGDSB staff member or volunteer who demonstrates a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Named in memory of Mike Elrick, a dedicated UGDSB educator who passed away in 2009, the award honours individuals who model sustainability and inspire others to take action in their schools and communities.
Congratulations to Matt and Jen on this well-deserved recognition. Their leadership and dedication are making a lasting impact — not just on the environment, but on generations of students learning how to protect it.