It will be a busy weekend at the Experimental Lakes Area west of Vermilion Bay on Saturday.
Two high profile events are taking place including some international representation.
Four people are part of the African Women in Science program and they will be visiting the facility.
Ted Lawrence is the local coordinator and admits the ELA is quite different from the African great lakes, but there share some similarities.
“Although our lake systems are different, especially when looking at tropical lake species…diversity…vastly different than what we have in North America,” explains Lawrence.
“The issues that affect our fresh water resources are pretty similar globally. The approaches as to how to protect those lakes…those are pretty similar.”
Lawrence says the African women will get to see some of the different approaches to data collection and meet with the scientists working out at the ELA.
“Going to be able to engage with our scientists at the Experimental Lakes Area and get into the field…into the boats. Get their hands wet with the nets and look at the some of the different approaches than aren’t typically done on the African great lakes.”
In addition to visiting the ELA, the participants in the African Women in Science program will be taking in a conference in Winnipeg.
Meantime, a group of Indigenous elders and community members will take part in a sharing circle and a water ceremony.
Officials with the ELA say they have been working closely with Indigenous neighbours for years to align their approaches to science and to share knowledge and experience.
(With files from Tim Davidson)
