Freshwater scientists to convene online June 9–11

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2020

Discussions focus on science and COVID-19; problems and solutions for the world’s large lakes

ANN ARBOR, MI — More than 450 freshwater researchers from the Great Lakes region and beyond will gather online, June 9–11, for the 63rd annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. The event, convened by the International Association for Great Lakes Research, marks the first time the association will hold its annual conference online, after having to cancel its in-person event in Winnipeg due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IISD Experimental Lakes Area in Winnipeg helped to organize the program.

“This year we have an opportunity to try something different,” notes IAGLR President Paul Sibley of the University of Guelph. “The result is IAGLR 2020 Virtual, featuring three days of live sessions with plenary speakers and conversations on issues vital to the scientific community. And as usual, we have a lineup of excellent talks and posters addressing the science and policy of the great lakes of the world.”

HIGHLIGHTS
See the conference program for details.

Daily Plenary Speakers

• Brenda Koekkoek, United Nations Environment Programme, will discuss the future of chemicals and waste management at the global level (Thursday, 10 a.m.)

• Merrell-Ann Phare, International Joint Commission, will discuss the Mackenzie River Basin Bilateral Water Management Agreements, the role of Indigenous governments, and IJC Commissioners’ current priorities (Wednesday, 10 a.m.)

• Chris Vandergoot, Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System, will share how acoustic telemetry is helping scientists to understand the mysterious movements of Great Lakes fish (Tuesday, 10 a.m.)

Community Conversations

• The state of Great Lakes research in the face of COVID-19 (Tuesday, 1 p.m.)
• IAGLR Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (Wednesday, 2 p.m.)
• Large Lakes of the World (Thursday, 1 p.m.)

Fireside and Breakfast Chats

• An evening with Great Lakes filmmaker David Ruck with insights into storytelling and discussions with guests about The Erie Situation, a documentary on the 2019 harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie (Tuesday, 6 p.m.)
• Breakfast chat with Sandra Svoboda, Great Lakes Now, and Sumeep Bath, IISD Experimental Lakes Area, who discuss the importance of messaging science to external audiences (Wednesday, 9 a.m.)
• Listen to a live taping of the Teach Me About the Great Lakes podcast hosted by Stuart Carlton and Carolyn Foley (Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant) as they interview 2020 IAGLR Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Jan Ciborowski (Wednesday, 6 p.m.) 

Online Video Gallery

More than 160 prerecorded talks (40+ hours) are available online to registrants through July 5. Topics include climate impacts, shoreline changes, genetics, plastic pollution, oil spills, remote sensing, invasive species, the state of lakes, policy, education, Indigenous worldview and participation in lake research, and more.

Small-group Discussions

Each afternoon, attendees can meet to discuss topics of interest, including climate impacts, carbon and nutrients, fish, innovative technology, invasive species, and more.

Registration is still open!
Just $50 for access to live event + online video archive through July 5.

Media are welcome and must register online

Conference website: iaglr.org/iaglr2020

Join the conversation on Twitter: @IAGLR and #iaglr20

CONTACTS

IAGLR

Paul Sibley, President
(315) 244-7146
[email protected]

Ed Verhamme, Vice President
(734) 681-0577
[email protected]

Christine Manninen, Conference Coordinator
(734) 560-8598
[email protected]

Paula McIntyre, Communications Director
(231) 933-8416
[email protected]

IISD Experimental Lakes Area

Matthew McCandless, IAGLR 2020 Chair
(204) 958-7700 x729
[email protected]

Scott Higgins, IAGLR 2020 Program Chair
(204) 958-7700 x741
[email protected]

The International Association for Great Lakes Research is a scientific organization made up of researchers studying the Laurentian Great Lakes, other large lakes of the world, and their watersheds, as well as those with an interest in such research. With its mission to promote all aspects of large lakes research and communicate research findings, IAGLR is uniquely positioned to foster the connection between science and policy, a connection vital for effective management and protection of the world’s large lakes.