It has been a big year for education and outreach at IISD-ELA. As a not-for-profit organization, we are committed to providing a platform for science, education and innovation, as well as offering access and information about our work.

During the 2015 field season, we hired a student Outreach Coordinator to plan and provide tours of the facility and give presentations to schools and organizations in Winnipeg, Kenora, Dryden and surrounding communities. We welcomed 17 different groups to the IISD-ELA facility over the course of the summer, providing tours of our labs, workshop and meteorological station. Guests got an opportunity to see firsthand some of research techniques we use and what whole-lake research actually looks like.

 

Groups who visited the facility included the Ontario youth ranger program, members from the Ontario Ministry of Mines and Natural Resources, participants of the National Forestry Association Conference and First Nations Communities from Northwestern Ontario.

 

We were also very pleased to have a surprise visit from Premier Kathleen Wynne, who was on a canoe trip in the area and stopped in to visit the facility. Premier Wynne and the Province of Ontario have been integral in supporting IISD-ELA research and providing funding to continue operations and keep research moving forward. Our staff was very happy to show Premier Wynne our research firsthand and thank her for her support.

 

In addition to individual tours, we have also re-established the IISD-ELA fall open house, welcoming residents of Kenora and Dryden to the facility. The open house will rotate between the two communities annually. In September 2015, 53 residents from the Dryden and Vermilion Bay areas participated in the open house, spending the day at the facility, walking through the labs and learning about ecosystem research. Thanks to all participants of this year’s open house! A great day was had by all.

 

Moving forward, we will continue to provide tours, give presentations and welcome groups to the facility. If you are interested in more information, please contact Donna Laroque at: info@iisd-ela.org or +1 (204) 958 7714.