Just as our fresh water flows across borders, our work stretches across nation and sectors.
IISD can influence how we manage fresh water like no other think tank on earth, because we create scientific understanding of fresh water at our very own freshwater science facility, which then informs the policy recommendations developed by our team of policy analysts.
In other words, we truly bridge science and policy.
First the science.
IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the world’s freshwater laboratory.
A series of 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada, IISD-ELA is the only place in the world where scientists can experiment on and manipulate real lakes to build a more accurate and complete picture of what human activity is doing to freshwater lakes. The findings from its over 50 years of ground-breaking research have rewritten environmental policy around the world—from mitigating algal blooms to reducing how much mercury gets into our waterways—and aim to keep fresh water clean around the world for generations to come.
Then comes the policy.
We then take those scientific findings, and develop policy and programming solutions for governments, civil society, and industry that protect and enhance the natural environment, keep our fresh water clean, while also improving socioeconomic well-being.
We conduct economic analyses and hydrologic assessments so that governments best understand all the options before making final decisions. And we support the management of watersheds across national boundaries, bringing all the relevant sectors and stakeholders to the table.
IISD Experimental Lakes Area
We are the world’s freshwater laboratory—the only place in the world where scientists can manipulate real lakes to understand what human activity does to fresh water.
Scientists from Two Continents Working Together to Improve the Health of the African Great Lakes
World-class scientists and researchers from across North America and Africa are putting their heads together to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the African Great Lakes today.
Floating Treatment Wetlands: Keeping our fresh water clean and healthy
This short, engaging storybook takes you through what Floating Treatment Wetlands are, and how they could really help us keep bodies of fresh water clean and healthy.
How to Protect Fresh Water from Oil Spills
This episode looks at what freshwater scientists are trying to accomplish by spilling oil into a remote lake and the unusual solution they've found to help clean up future oil spills.
Is It Raining Plastic?
We need more research to understand the effects of microplastics on our fresh water—and find solutions. That's where our team of experts come in.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation
We are working towards the sixth UN Sustainable Development Goal to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all"
Our work in the news
The environment shouldn’t suffer because of our COVID-19 precautions - The Globe and Mail
"Our continued use of cleaning and sanitizing products is an important part of combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. But that doesn’t mean we should delay doing more research into the potential environmental threats posed by the QACs to the freshwaters into which they discharge, and the fauna who reside within – a world that we need to ensure survives and thrives for long after this pandemic is over."
This isn't the time to let environmental protection and monitoring slip - CBC
"When the world comes out the other end of this pandemic, we will need that information on the health of our world more than ever."
The Canada Water Agency Must Tap into The Sector's Innovations - Policy Options
"The development of the Canada Water Agency is a unique opportunity to improve freshwater stewardship in this country. The best way to do this is with strong federal leadership that taps into, builds up and collaborates with the networks that are active across Canada today."
Fieldwork in the Experimental Lakes Area Adapts to COVID-19 - Eos
"Though anticipating long days and hard work as a few key crew members do the job of many, researchers heading to the lakes this summer are excited to leave the house."
Food Web Biologist
Field Sampling Technician, IISD-ELA
Deputy Director, IISD-ELA and Corporate Secretary
Policy Advisor – Data and Technology
Research Chemist, IISD-ELA
Fisheries Research Biologist, IISD-ELA
Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
Senior Biologist, IISD-ELA
Senior Director, Fresh Water & Executive Director, IISD-ELA
Head Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
Senior Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
Research Fellow, IISD-ELA
Director, Water Management
Biologist - Field Coordinator, IISD-ELA
Environmental Technician, IISD-ELA
ELA joins African experts to fight algae blooms
Ted Lawrence at the Experimental Lakes is working with researchers in Africa, as they look for ways to preserve and improve water quality.
Experimental Lakes Area scientists created a new stream
Scientists at the Experimental Lakes Area east of Kenora have assessed the results of an experiment that revealed the ecological impacts of diverting water in a forest.
Canadian, African researchers partner on lake protection
Research conducted at the Experimental Lakes Area is soon set to be deployed intercontinentally, as IISD partners with a foundation seeking to preserve the health of the African Great Lakes.
Scientists Improving Health of African Great Lakes
Scientists and researchers from across North America and Africa will be coming together to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the African Great Lakes.
20 Questions with Corner Brook international student Abdul-Latif Alhassan
Alhassan is part of a team called AbbaTek. Its members are from all across the country and — unstopped by COVID-19 — meet virtually to develop a solution for reducing uncertainty in microplastics research.
Saving Lake Winnipeg with tech innovation
Bentley Turner and Megan Smith are finalists in the 2020 Lake Winnipeg AquaHacking Challenge hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
The Lasting Legacy of Phosphorus Buried in Lakes
Research at an experimental lake suggests that phosphorus inputs from runoff may affect the health of aquatic ecosystems long after external additions of the nutrient are reduced.
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