International Institute for Sustainable development
IISD-ELA Experimental Lakes Area

IISD Experimental Lakes Area is one of the world's most influential freshwater research facilities.

Featured

Here are seven things...

Here are seven things...

...going down at the world's freshwater laboratory this summer

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Here are seven things...

This is What I Learned...

This is What I Learned...

...at my very first water song gathering

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This is What I Learned...

Monitoring lakes from our desks

Monitoring lakes from our desks

It’s all down to something call “in-situ sensors…”

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Monitoring lakes from our desks

Building Bridges....

Building Bridges....

... between western science, Indigenous knowledge, and clean energy

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Building Bridges....

ALL ABOUT TIRES...

ALL ABOUT TIRES...

...and what they do to freshwater fish

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ALL ABOUT TIRES...

Africa's Great Lakes

Africa's Great Lakes

Whatever you know about Africa’s Great Lakes, sit back and allow us to explain all—in under three lil animated minutes…

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Africa's Great Lakes

Purchase the latest merchandise of the world's freshwater laboratory!

Research at IISD Experimental Lakes Area improves our understanding of human impacts on the environment, influences policy and environmental best practices, and supports public awareness. IISD-ELA's unique value to the scientific community is the ability to conduct research at the whole ecosystem level.

Back to some fresh water basics

What is fresh water?

What is fresh water?

What makes fresh water fresh?

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What is fresh water?

What is a lake?

What is a lake?

And what is it not?

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What is a lake?

What is a limnologist?

What is a limnologist?

And what do they do?

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What is a limnologist?

  • "IISD-ELA is the supercollider of ecology."

    Dr. David W. Schindler, OC, AOE, DPhil, FRSC, FRS, Killam Memorial Chair and Professor of Ecology (emeritus), University of Alberta

  • “IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the place for high-impact science. It is unlike any other facility for its ability to answer the big and pressing questions.”

    Dr. Karen Kidd; Jarislowsky Chair in Environment and Health, McMaster University

Discover IISD-ELA

Exceptional Natural Laboratory

Exceptional Natural Laboratory

IISD-ELA's unique research influences and generates cost-effective environmental policies, regulations and management.

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About

Long-term data

Long-term data

IISD-ELA has amassed one of the largest and most comprehensive data sets globally on pristine and manipulated freshwater lakes

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Science & Data

Research, results & commentary

Research, results & commentary

Groundbreaking results and expert commentary on current key issues affecting freshwater in our world today

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News & Media

Educating, inspiring and training

Educating, inspiring and training

IISD-ELA engages young and old in the importance of freshwater science for sustainable development

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Education & Outreach

Arrange a visit

Arrange a visit

Necessary permits and arrangements can be made to engage in eductional science and research at the facilities

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Visitors

TRIPLE YOUR DONATION TO IISD-ELA

TRIPLE YOUR DONATION TO IISD-ELA

Every dollar you donate to our Endowment Fund will be matched twice up to $1,000,000

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Endowment Fund