Program

The conference will offer engaging speakers, networking opportunities, and four days of science centered around the theme Connected Waters: Bridging Communities & Ideas.

All times are in Central Daylight Time.

Monday, May 25

8–5

IAGLR Board Meeting

From Here to There: Connecting People and Pathways in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Networking workshop hosted by FISHCAST and IAGLR's Student and Early Career Committee.

4–5

SCAS Board Meeting

Exhibits

Say hello to our Exhibitors.

6–9

Welcome Mixer

Come join us to kick off the conference, say hello to old friends, and meet new ones.

Tuesday, May 26

Exhibits

8–11 Breakout Rooms

Concurrent Sessions

View detailed schedule.

11:00–11:30

Opening Remarks

11:30–12:30 Tuesday, May 26

Plenary

Understanding Our Relations: Why 3-eyed seeing is significant, Myrle Ballard, University of Calgary

12:30–1:30

Buffet Lunch

1:40-6 Breakout Rooms

Concurrent Sessions

View detailed schedule.

5:30-7 Lake of the Woods Taproom

IAGLR Editors' Reception

The Journal of Great Lakes Research thrives thanks to the commitment of our associate editors and the guidance of the IAGLR Publication Committee. This reception is our chance to express our gratitude and to hear your perspectives on the journal's future. If you are part of this vital team, please join us at Lake of the Woods Taproom.

6–8

Poster Session

View poster abstracts.

6:15–7:30 Vida Cucina Italia

SCAS Editors' Reception

The Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences is supported by a group of dedicated associate editors. We want to take this time to thank you for your efforts and get your feedback on how the journal is doing and what we can do better. If you’re one of these hardworking folks, please join us for the Editors' Reception at Vida Cucina Italia.

8–10 King Head's Pub

Student Social

Join your fellow students for the student-only mixer at King Head's Pub at 120 King Street.

Wednesday, May 27

Exhibits

8–11 Breakout Rooms

Concurrent Sessions

View detailed schedule.

11:00–11:30

Opening Remarks

11:30–12:30 Wednesday, May 27

Plenary

Towards a mechanistic science of global change: from cells to ecosystems and human well-being, Joey Bernhardt, University of Guelph, SCAS's 2026 Stevenson awardee

Rewired Watersheds and Toxic Blooms in Northern Lakes, Irena Creed, University of Toronto Scarborough, SCAS's 2026 Rigler awardee

Field Trips & Workshops

6:30–9

I Am The River, The River Is Me Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Join us for this film about the Whanganui River in Aotearoa/New Zealand, the first river in the world to be recognized as a legal person, as a living and indivisible being. The film captures a canoe trip down the river, led by a Māori elder, awakening spiritual belief and practice and becoming a call to action to draw closer to nature and fight climate change through a fundamental value shift.

Doors open at 6 p.m., film starts at 6:30 p.m. Panel discussion at 8 p.m. This free event is open to members of the public, who should reserve a spot here. Conference attendees, please sign up when you register for the conference.

Thursday, May 28

Exhibits

8–11 Breakout Rooms

Concurrent Sessions

View detailed schedule.

11:00–11:30

Opening Remarks

11:30–12:30 Thursday, May 28

Plenary

Eutrophication at the Science-Policy Interface: Whole-ecosystem science, advocacy, and the challenge of translating knowledge into policy, Scott Higgins, IISD Experimental Lakes Area, and Alexis Kanu, Lake Winnipeg Foundation

12:30–1:30 Breakout Rooms