Join us online
Fellow researchers from around the world will gather online May 17-21, 2021, for IAGLR's 64th annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. Hosted by Michigan Technological University, the virtual conference will feature four days of scientific sessions and speakers focusing on our theme Bridging: Knowledges • Seven Generations • Land to Lake. This theme evokes our goal of connection.Today we see an urgent need for people to connect across divides of race, culture, and political viewpoint, as well as across scientific disciplines and levels of scientific literacy. Among American Indians, the concept of seven generations connects us to our past as well as our future. We cannot protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations without being aware of the impacts of what we do in the watersheds.
Plenary Speakers
As a fun activity to provide some time away from the computer during our virtual conference week, please join us in getting some steps in! We'll "run" a friendly competition between U.S., Canadian, Indigenous, and international participants May 17-21. There's no cost to participate but donations to IAGLR are always welcome. While we can't have a hockey game this year, we can walk our watershed!
As added fun, we encourage you to post photos from your watershed to social media using the conference hashtag #iaglr21. Show us where you are in the world! Adding hashtags for your lake and team are also encouraged. For teams, use #iaglrUSA, #iaglrCAN, #iaglrInternational, or #iaglrIndigenous.
To participate, simply fill out the sign-up form, and we'll send along the link where you can report your miles each day. We'll provide a daily update during the morning announcements on Zoom.
You can also earn miles for your favorite team and lake by making a donation. Each dollar earns a mile! Feel free to recruit friends to join you in walking or donating to your favorite lake via the same form.
Have fun, post your pics, and thanks for keeping our lakes great!
News
IAGLR & SCAS-SCSA 2026 Call for Abstracts is open!
November 14, 2025
We invite you to participate in the 2026 Joint Conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research and the Society of Canadian Aquatic Sciences. The conference will be held May 25–29, 2026, in Winnipeg, Manitoba as a hybrid event. Seventy-seven sessions have been proposed to complement the theme Connected Waters: Bridging Communities & Ideas. We welcome abstract submissions for both oral and poster presentations. View the Call for Abstracts for details. Submission deadline is Friday, December 19, 2025.
Student freshwater scientists honored at IAGLR research conference
June 9, 2025
The International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) recognized outstanding student scientists for their contributions to large lake science. The awards were announced last week at the association’s 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research in Milwaukee. View More
Great Lakes science leaders honored at research conference
June 9, 2025
The International Association for Great Lakes Research honored several professionals at the association’s 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research last week in Milwaukee for their contributions to large lake science and IAGLR. View More
IAGLR 2021 Acknowledgment
IAGLR 2021 planners acknowledge that Nayaano-nibiimaang Gichigamiin (the Great Lakes) bioregion is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands and waters of numerous Indigenous nations. We acknowledge Indigenous peoples as the region’s original caretakers and knowledge keepers, and recognize their contributions to the stewardship and governance of the world’s largest system of freshwater. We extend our gratitude to members and staff of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the 1854 Treaty Authority for their commitment to the planning and organization of the 2021 conference. Such partnerships are critical to bridging diverse knowledges, seven generations care, and sustaining land-to-lake relations in Nayaano-nibiimaang Gichigamiin. Finally, we remember that the teachings and practices we carry today were built and shared by many who came before us, including our human ancestors and many relatives with fins, wings, legs, and roots. For more information, see the Fall 2020 Lakes Letter article titled "Since time immemorial" (p. 4).
Program Links
Concurrent Session Grid (PDF)
Abstract Book (PDF)
Website with detailed schedule of presentations:
- Public view (no login required)
- Plan my itinerary (login required)
For Paid Registrants
Reminder. Check your email for a message titled IAGLR21: How to Access the Conference for details on how to join in. Info will be emailed again on Monday.
If you have a paid abstract, remember to use your discount code
For Presenters
Please review the Presentation Guidelines for oral and poster presenters. Oral presenters must upload their presentation videos by May 9.
For Session Chairs
For Media
For complimentary access for those with media credentials, please register using the media registration form.
Stay connected on Twitter at #IAGLR21
