Water
Human activity—from pollutants to climate change—is threatening the health of our planet's precious freshwater resources.
That's where we come in.
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2024-08/child-lake-bag-seventies.jpg?h=3f18c966&itok=Nqb59pL3)
Can Pollution be a Tool for Environmental Protection? Pauline Gerrard does TedX Winnipeg
Should we be polluting the environment more — to understand it better and, ultimately, pollute it less? IISD-ELA's fearless leader, Pauline Gerrard, takes to the TedX Winnipeg stage to make the case.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2023-03/lake-island-water_0.jpg?h=0f099a31&itok=8KaOBen8)
This Is What Climate Change is Doing to our Fresh Water
Smaller fish. Darker lakes. Warmer air. We explore why these changes matter, and how we should go about tackling them.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-12/microplastics.jpg?h=c2eb725c&itok=Wi7jH4Ph)
The Water Brothers explore why scientists in Canada are filling a lake with plastics.
We invited the Water Brothers over to the lakes to explore why we are adding plastics to our lakes—all in the name of science.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-11/IISD_PELLYSLAKE_STILLS_007.jpg?h=8f74817f&itok=EPPZsaYY)
Let’s Talk About Natural Infrastructure…
Allow us to take you on a whirlwind tour of Pelly’s Lake in southern Manitoba, Canada, where the marvels of natural infrastructure are already being felt.
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Speaking Each Other’s Language
When it comes to communicating the research findings of the world's freshwater laboratory, we need to speak to communities in their own languages. Literally.
Our work in the news
Microplastics levels high in Toronto-caught fish - The Globe and Mail
"Fillets from fish caught along Toronto’s waterfront have up to 12 times more microplastics per serving than some common store-bought alternatives, newly published research suggests."
The Dangers of Cleaning Products We Don't Discuss - Newsweek
"While it is pleasing to see the culture of self-care taken so seriously, most people don't consider another angle to this phenomenon, and it is one that you might not expect."
90% of Great Lakes water samples have unsafe microplastic levels – report - The Guardian
"About 90% of water samples taken over the last 10 years from the Great Lakes contain microplastic levels that are unsafe for wildlife, a new peer-reviewed paper from the University of Toronto finds."
Microplastics found in remote waters near Great Lakes in 'alarming' new study - FOX News
"By land, by sea, and now by air - microplastics are contaminating the world's most remote locations without the help of people."
Experts
![pauline-gerrard-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/pauline-gerrard-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=bnOm1VuV)
Pauline Gerrard
Interim Executive Director, IISD-ELA
![dimple-roy-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/dimple-roy-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=QOCyLNNB)
Dimple Roy
Director, Water Management
![Bio photo of Matthew McCandless](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-04/matthew-mccandless-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=l65MKygY)
Matthew McCandless
Interim VP Operations and Business Transformation
![vince-palace-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/vince-palace-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=-zziC-HL)
Vince Palace
Head Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
![michael-paterson-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/michael-paterson-2019.jpg?h=7b90b2bc&itok=HRxbajhv)
Michael Paterson
Senior Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
![scott-higgins-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/scott-higgins-2019.jpg?h=c4669ed1&itok=od-xmalH)
Scott Higgins
Senior Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
![Photo of Aidan Guttormson](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-05/aidan-guttormson-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=IB1Jo_PD)
Aidan Guttormson
Field Technician, IISD-ELA
![Headshot of Aliana Fristensky for the IISD website](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-08/aliana-fristensky-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=X6ob3ao4)
Aliana Fristensky
Policy Advisor
![Image of Ashley Rawluk](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-03/ashley-rawluk-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=-Av6xUxj)
Ashley Rawluk
Policy Advisor
![Blake Cooney](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-07/blake-cooney-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=VxqbCIBs)
Blake Cooney
Chemist I, IISD-ELA
![Bio photo of Chris Hay](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-04/chris-hay-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=HiXqsxq9)
Chris Hay
Scientific Data Officer, IISD-ELA
![Bio photo of Desiree Langenfeld](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-03/desiree-langenfeld-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=Ahtx3Z2_)
Desiree Langenfeld
Biologist, IISD-ELA
![Bio photo of Emily Kroft](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-06/emily-kroft-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=6Ld--yTB)
Emily Kroft
Water Policy and Youth Engagement Officer, IISD-ELA
![Jose Luis Rodriquez Gil](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-03/jose-rodriquez-gil-2021.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=6ssYV48z)
Jose Luis Rodriguez Gil
Research Scientist, IISD-ELA
![Josee Methot bio pic](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-05/josee-methot-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=Qfx1qGiD)
Josée Méthot
Senior Policy Specialist, Water
![ken-sandilands-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/ken-sandilands-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=QwHE8K0z)
Ken Sandilands
Biologist - Field Coordinator, IISD-ELA
![Kevin Obiero Experimental Lakes Area Africa](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-06/kevin-obiero-2021.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=qf7pgolB)
Kevin Obiero
IISD-ELA Board Member
![lauren-hayhurst-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/lauren-hayhurst-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=cU_tVu-e)
Lauren Hayhurst
Fisheries Research Biologist II, IISD-ELA
![Lauren Timlick headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-05/lauren-timlick-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=6yw62H62)
Lauren Timlick
Biologist II - Ecotoxicology, IISD-ELA
![lee-hrenchuk-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/lee-hrenchuk-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=Ez4UqH70)
Lee Hrenchuk
Senior Biologist, IISD-ELA
![bio photo of Lisa Peters](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-06/lisa-peters-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=IIgN7ly3)
Lisa Peters
Research Associate, IISD-ELA
![Bio photo of Madeline Stanley](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-04/madeline-stanley-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=dY-HofYP)
Madeline Stanley
Remediation Ecology Scientist
![Marina-Puzyreva-2018.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Marina-Puzyreva-2018_0.jpg?h=9d0ff62f&itok=eTzyGj4h)
Marina Puzyreva
Senior Policy Advisor
![Headshot of Dr. Michael Rennie](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2020-11/mike-rennie.jpg?h=6c83441f&itok=CcSexga-)
Michael Rennie
Research Fellow, IISD-ELA
![Headshot of Morgan Anderson](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-04/morgan-anderson-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=54ksgURs)
Morgan Anderson
Field Sampling Technician/Senior Education and Relations Officer, IISD-ELA
![Bio photo of Patrique Bulloch](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-05/patrique-bulloch-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=57ySf9eK)
Patrique Bulloch
Food Web Biologist, IISD-ELA
![paul-fafard-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/paul-fafard-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=YEEnjJYd)
Paul Fafard
Field Sampling Technician II, IISD-ELA
![Bio photo of Richard Grosshans](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-04/richard-grosshans-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=CgCLscW6)
Richard Grosshans
Lead II, Bioremediation
![sonya-havens-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/sonya-havens-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=x-wQuvgq)
Sonya Havens
Research Chemist, IISD-ELA
![Headshot of Stanley Chasia](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-07/stanley-chasia-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=UJYlVvXA)
Stanley Chasia
Policy Advisor, NBS Biophysical Monitoring
![Ted Lawrence](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2020-10/theodore-lawrence-2020.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=_PKiZHov)
Ted Lawrence
Executive Director, IISD-ACARE
![Thomas Saleh bio pic IISD](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-08/thomas-saleh-2022b.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=ucaghHCV)
Thomas Saleh
Policy Advisor, Data and Technology; IISD-ELA
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