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FEDERATION OF ONTARIO COTTAGERS ASSOCIATIONS 21 by Matthew McCandless Executive Director of IISD-ELA May 14 2015 marked a major milestone for the newly- formed IISD Experimental Lakes Area IISD-ELA the beginning of its second research season under operation by the International Institute of Sustainable Development IISD. IISD-ELA is an exceptional natural laboratory in northwestern Ontario comprised of 58 small lakes and their watersheds set aside for scientific research. It is still 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 ecosystemfrom the atmosphere to fish populationsrespond. Findings are often much more accurate than those from research conducted at smaller scales such as in laboratories. In a time of growing populations and a rapidly changing climate many countries are struggling to respond to challenges related to freshwater. These concerns include the impacts of climate change agricultural runoff water management practices contaminants such as mercury and organic pollutants and a growing list of new chemical substances. The unique research approach at IISD-ELA has already influenced billion-dollar decisions of governments and industries. It has generated more cost-effective environmental policies regulations and management which put simply result in cleaner water for us all. This year we are continuing our tradition of responding to the most pressing environmental issues of our time by conducting long-term experiments at the facilityincluding some innovative work into the effects of nanosilver on aquatic ecosystems the effects of mercury contamination on water and the iconic ongoing research at Lake 227 into eutrophication. One of the outcomes of last years research was the discovery that introducing synthetic estrogen into a lake negatively affected the reproductive cycles of fathead minnows and led to the near extinction of the population. The estrogen found in birth control pills interfered with the minnow populations ability to reproduce. So startling were the findings that they made headlines across the world. But its not all business at IISD-ELA. One of the most exciting new avenues being pursued is that of educational programming at the facility which launched last summer. This year we have another pilot high school field course planned as well as two university field courses. This is just one of the many ways in which having a world-class scientific research institute in your backyard is able to benefit Canadians offering unique opportunities especially to young people to learn valuable hands-on skills. None of this would have been possible without the much appreciated public and private financial contributions on which IISD-ELAdepends and thanks to which it has been able to expand its scope and thrive in its inaugural year. The facility recently received a generous donation of 1 Million to create the IISD-ELASustainable Enquiry Fund to provide immediate and ongoing support for post- secondary education opportunities for students at IISD-ELA. Hundreds of donors from Canada and around the world also pledged their support for IISD-ELA through private individual donations to IISD. We would like to express our gratitude to all our private donors as well as for the ongoing funding from the Governments of Ontario Manitoba and Canada. Editors note FOCA was one of many voices that fought the Federal governments decision to defund the important work of the ELA scientists. See httpfoca.on.casaving-the-ela. A New Era for IISD Experimental Lakes Area Photo IISD-ELA