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.

We are pleased to announce that the Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award has been presented for the 2023/2024 school year. This year’s recipient is Tracey Growden, a teacher at Mitchell Woods Public School.

This year, Growden was selected out of ten nominees across the UGDSB. When reflecting on the work that Growden has done, one nominator said, “Tracey has been our leader in environmental stewardship for many years. She runs Eco Club without fail, organizing students to collect compost and recycling daily. She is always suggesting craft ideas that reuse objects or items bound for the landfill. She leads by example.” another of Growden’s nominees said, “Tracey is an Eco Warrior…. Her tireless efforts at [Mitchell Woods PS] keep our school green.”

Past Winners of the Mike Elrick Environmental Leadership Award

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

• Winner 2024 Tracey Growden

• Winner 2023 Jenny McGregor

• Winner 2022 Karen Acton

• Winner 2021 Cathy Dykstra

• Winner 2020 Yvette Tendick

• Winner 2019 Kim Gordon

• Winner 2018 Heather Cameron

• Winner 2017 Chris van Beurden

• Winner 2016 Liz Hazlett

• Winner 2015 Patsy Collier

• Winner 2014 Greg Smith

• Winner 2013 Cory Lipovschek

• Winner 2012 Mike Anderson

• Winner 2011 Sheila Koop

• Winner 2010 Barb Kidd