{"id":22191,"date":"2021-03-05T14:21:55","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T20:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cf.iisd.net\/ela\/?p=22191"},"modified":"2023-09-25T13:57:52","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T18:57:52","slug":"iisd-experimental-lakes-area-celebrates-the-life-of-one-of-its-founding-scientists","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.iisd.org\/ela\/blog\/iisd-experimental-lakes-area-celebrates-the-life-of-one-of-its-founding-scientists\/","title":{"rendered":"IISD Experimental Lakes Area Celebrates the Life of One of its Founding Scientists"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

It was with great sadness that the team here at the world\u2019s freshwater laboratory learned of the death of David Schindler<\/a> on March 4, 2021, at the age of 80.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Put simply, without Dave, there would be no IISD Experimental Lakes Area as we know it today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Back in 1968, David Schindler was named Leader of Experimental Lake Investigations at the nascent Experimental Lakes Area and went on to hold that position for over 20 years\u2014until 1989.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Without Dave, there would be no IISD Experimental Lakes Area as we know it today.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In those two decades, he led the charge on multiple touchstone research projects at the site, including confirming the cause of harmful algal blooms<\/a> and exploring the impact of acid rain on freshwater systems<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Indeed, it was the impact of these two critical studies that helped to ensure that Dave was the recipient of the inaugural Stockholm Water Prize in 1991. His countless achievements and accolades are too numerous to list, but they include 30 honours and 13 (academic and honorary) degrees from universities in North America and around the world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Dave Schindler (left) led research at IISD Experimental Lakes Area from 1968 till 1989.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cDave\u2019s achievements are incredible, and he secured a legacy as one of the world’s leading freshwater researchers and a proud ambassador of Canadian science around the globe,\u201d said Michael Paterson, Senior Research Scientist, IISD Experimental Lakes Area.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cRight now, our thoughts are with his family and those he left behind. I count myself among the many limnologists working in the field across the world today whose passion for fresh water and its protection was inspired by Dave\u2019s pioneering approach to researching our fresh water. And for that, I thank him deeply.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dave\u2019s legacy at the world\u2019s freshwater laboratory is truly unparalleled, and his tenure at the site continues to impact and inform our work daily.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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“Many limnologists working in the field across the world today were inspired by Dave\u2019s pioneering approach to researching our fresh water.”<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Dr. David Schindler, one of the co-founders and early pioneers of IISD Experimental Lakes Area, spent much of his illustrious career mentoring the freshwater scientists of tomorrow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To honour and extend his legacy, we will be funding one limnology student per year to study and work at the world\u2019s freshwater laboratory, to gain hands-on experience experimenting on real lakes and working with our experts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n