About IISD Experimental Lakes Area

Meet our conference host

The IISD Experimental Lakes Area is the only place in the world where scientists manipulate lakes to discover what humans do to freshwater. This exceptional natural laboratory comprises 58 small lakes and their watersheds set aside for scientific research. Located about 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Winnipeg in a remote region of northwestern Ontario, Canada, it is one of the only places in the world where it is possible to conduct experiments on whole ecosystems. By manipulating these small lakes, scientists are able to examine how all aspects of the ecosystem—from the atmosphere to fish populations—respond. Findings of real-world experiments are often much more accurate than those from research conducted at smaller scales, such as in laboratories.