Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award

Mike Elrick was an Upper Grand DSB teacher who demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership in his work on environmental issues within our board. In addition to running the Community Environmental Leadership and Headwaters Programs for fifteen years, he also chaired the board-wide Environmental Issues Committee and was involved in numerous other initiatives within our board. Mike role modeled environmentally friendly practices from biking to school to washing mugs for staff meetings. Mike passed away in November 2009 from lung cancer.

Each year, the UGDSB is honouring Mike’s memory with the “Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award” for staff and volunteers who have demonstrated environmental leadership within their school community or our school board.

The recipient of this award would be someone who demonstrates the following:

  • Drives environmental projects, such as earth week activities, or advises the environment club within their school

  • Models numerous sustainable practices for students, like biking to school, bringing a litterless lunch, or using “good on one side paper”

  • Infuses discourse and action on environmental issues into their teaching

  • Demonstrates environmental leadership in other ways

If you know of a UGDSB staff member or volunteer who you feel would be a worthy recipient of this award, please complete a nomination form in the spring when the application becomes available. The award recipient will get financial support for an environmental project or program within their school.

picture of Mike Elrick smiling

Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award 2025

The Upper Grand District School 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. Learn more here!

Past Winners of the Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their Leadership in Environmental Action!

Two educators are pictured holding small plaques.