From August 21–23 a group of cyclists organized a charity ride in support of aquatic science and watershed management.

Over the course of three days, the group rode over 500 km through southeastern Manitoba, into northern Minnesota around the south end of Lake of the Woods, before crossing back into Ontario and finishing at the IISD-ELA facility. The fundraiser celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF), but it also sought to highlight the impact of research conducted at IISD-ELA on policy and regulatory frameworks for watershed management.

Silhouette of bycicle against lake

For the past 10 years, the LWF has been a strong advocate for science-based decision making in watershed management. The research results, knowledge and skills developed at IISD-ELA have been the foundation for much of the LWF work. Many of the LWF directors and science advisors are current or retired ELA researchers. Furthermore the IISD-ELA area sits within the boundaries of the Lake Winnipeg watershed. The connections between IISD-ELA and the LWF are numerous, so it seemed fitting to mark the anniversary by linking the two agencies through a charity bike ride.

 

The objective of Cycling for Solutions was to link the work of LWF to the source of the science that guides watershed management. The longer route around the south side of Lake of the Woods was chosen to recognize that the Lake Winnipeg watershed is an international basin that includes parts of four provinces and four states. To cycle within the second largest watershed in Canada was going to require some time and distance.

 

On the first day, the group rode over 200 km from Winnipeg to Warroad, Minnesota. The following day was another 200 km ride to Nestor Falls, Ontario. The last day was the shortest distance (120 km), but brought the most difficult conditions, as the final 35 km of trail and gravel road proved to be a significant challenge. The exhausted and exhilarated cyclists arrived at the IISD-ELA facility and were met by a welcome committee of researchers and students.

 

Cycling for Solutions proved to be a surprise success for the organizers. It raised over $3,800 for LWF programming and highlighted that the research conducted at IISD-ELA is the foundation for watershed management strategies and planning. The ecological problems seen in Lake Winnipeg are not unique to this watershed, and the scientific research of IISD-ELA will continue to be an integral component in identifying solutions to protect aquatic ecosystems throughout the world.