Every Drop Is Life CASE FOR SUPPORT

Transcription

1 Every Drop Is Life CASE FOR SUPPORT

2 Protecting Our Most Valuable Resource: Water As Canadians, it can be easy to take our abundant freshwater resources for granted. In a world where two billion people are forced to drink contaminated water daily, few would deny that fresh water is our most precious resource and in most need of protection. With ever-increasing pollution and the intensifying impacts of climate change, there is clear urgency for research and evidence-based solutions to these problems. Canada is home to 20 per cent of the world s freshwater supply. With this gift also comes a great responsibility to actively understand and protect our most valuable resource. The World s Freshwater Laboratory (IISD-ELA) the world s freshwater laboratory is celebrating over 50 years of groundbreaking freshwater research and science that has uncovered evidencebased methods to combat threats against our fresh water while rewriting environmental policy, here in Canada and around the world. Located in a remote area in northwestern Ontario, the research site consists of 58 small lakes and their watersheds set aside for scientific research. Researchers come from all over the world to undertake whole-ecosystem experiments, where entire lakes or watersheds are manipulated over long periods of time. Scientists are able to examine how all aspects of the ecosystem from the atmosphere to fish populations respond, yielding real-world results; these experiments are often much more accurate than those from research conducted at smaller scales, such as in laboratories. Thanks to IISD-ELA s research findings, we are all able to benefit from air pollution regulations for reducing acid rain, hydroelectric reservoir design to minimize greenhouse gas fluxes and mercury contamination, proposed measures to lower mercury contamination in fish, and reduced algal blooms and water pollution. In addition, researchers at IISD-ELA have amassed one of the largest and most complete datasets in the world on long-term changes in small lakes, and our research activities are described in more than 1,000 peerreviewed scientific publications. Fifty years on, IISD-ELA is enjoying the new era as a nonprofit organization. We are building stronger relationships with the northwestern Ontario community and bolstering our education program to train the freshwater stewards of tomorrow. Situated on Treaty 3 traditional territory, IISD- ELA also recognizes the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous community and is actively working to strengthen collaboration and offer programming that includes education, youth engagement and traditional ecological knowledge. Our Mission Statement IISD-ELA s mission is to conduct ecosystem-based research that improves our understanding of human impacts on the environment and to provide science-based solutions for clean water and healthy ecosystems. IISD-ELA is committed to using our research and facility to provide a platform for science education and innovation.

3 Making a Positive and Lasting Impact A Place like Nowhere Else on Earth s approach to freshwater research is completely unique and is one of the few places on Earth you can experiment on real ecosystems. Thanks to our unique research, we can: Better understand global threats to the environment through whole-ecosystem experiments. Monitor and demonstrate the impacts of human activities on watersheds and lakes. Develop solutions and strategies for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of ecosystems. Educate and promote freshwater science and environmental protection, inspiring the next generation of scientists and decision makers. An important ancillary benefit of IISD-ELA research programs has also been the advanced education and training of thousands of students who have since moved into careers in aquatic science and environmental management. A Unique Approach to Understanding Fresh Water IISD-ELA experiments involve whole-lake manipulation. Various pollutants and stressors are added to lakes, and occasionally their surrounding watersheds, to mimic human activities. The effects are measured over time sometimes over decades. Data about all aspects of the ecosystem are collected throughout the experiments to determine impacts and best practices. A key principle of the research at IISD-ELA is that lakes are returned to their natural state at the end of every study, enabling an understanding of ecosystem recovery and recommendations for management options. After 50 years, IISD-ELA s database of information about unimpacted lakes is widely recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of longitudinal environmental data on freshwater lakes in the world. With these data and its scientific capabilities, IISD-ELA is in a unique position to develop sorely needed models of how ecosystems will change over time, especially as a result of climate change. Our History Understanding and protecting our fresh water has been the goal of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) since its founding by the Government of Canada in In early 2014, due to federal funding cuts, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) took over management of the research facility, and IISD-ELA gained charitable status as a Canadian not-for-profit. IISD has almost 30 years of non-partisan Canadian leadership in championing global sustainable development, which has allowed whole-ecosystem research to continue without interruption and IISD-ELA to pursue a new and expanded vision for research, education and policy impact.

4 Sustainable Freshwater Supplies: For today, tomorrow and future generations holds registered charity status, as opposed to being a government facility. This means that its core operations and scientific goals will require funding and public support to maintain and continue its long history of influential and unique whole-ecosystem research. IISD-ELA is looking for partners and collaborators to continue to grow and expand this unique body of work. Canada is home to 20 per cent of the world s freshwater supply. This gives us incredible opportunities, but also affords us a tremendous responsibility to protect it for future generations. Access to clean fresh water is not a convenience; it is a necessity for life and our most precious resource. As the demand for fresh water increases, many of Canada s lakes are showing signs of stress and abuse from human activities. Pollution and waste from big industry, large-scale agriculture and a growing population are destroying our freshwater resources. A rapidly changing climate is greatly intensifying these already damaging impacts. Water s emergence in the 21 st century as a sustainable development and economic priority is well recognized internationally. And in a world where water and its health are under constant threat, it is up to IISD-ELA the world s freshwater laboratory to continually set the agenda when it comes to how we tackle those threats. The generous donations we have already received have started our journey towards secured sustainability, but there is still a long way to go. While government sources are still the largest sources of funding for IISD- ELA, we recognize that long-term stability and growth for the organization will only come from a diversified revenue stream and continued public support. Since 2014, IISD-ELA has been building its donor base and internal capacity in fund development. Financial support to IISD-ELA comes from a range of government operating and science funding, industry and foundation grants, corporations and private donations. A diversified revenue stream will create and sustain IISD-ELA s research and education programs and projects, as well as provide the means to continue to train and hire the best minds to work on complicated problems and seek innovative solutions to combat threats against our most valuable resource: water.

5 Ways to Give to IISD-ELA: Together we can do more! IISD-ELA has a clear, ultimate goal of self-sustainability. Our fund development strategy is therefore focused on four key areas: 1. Robust Research and Environmental Monitoring We have a range of priorities that will enrich research and long-term monitoring from supporting cutting-edge research projects and infrastructure for data analyses, to adopting innovative data-sharing technologies. 2. Essential Research Infrastructure IISD-ELA has plans to create a state-of-the art Water Science Educational and Training Centre and seeks funding for vital infrastructure such as accommodation and facilities that will give researchers and students workspaces and a home away from home in this remote site. 3. Environmental Education and Outreach We have been expanding our educational programming, and we are now looking to secure support for graduate and undergraduate students to facilitate the development of field courses for high school students and working with First Nations. 4. Endowment Fund Our endowment fund will support the ongoing operations and core needs of the facility for generations to come, providing critical resources that will help to address operations while building a stable base for the future. Your contribution will not only benefit IISD-ELA it may have positive financial outcomes for you. Consider discussing the full tax benefits associated with charitable contributions with your financial advisor or attorney. Outright Gifts We gratefully accept outright gifts: Make a secure online donation at: iisd.org/ela Pay by cheque made payable to: (mailed to Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4, FAO Tammy Hildebrand, Director of Development) Tailored Gifts We can also help tailor giving to your unique needs. Pledges: Make a single or multiyear pledge of support that is paid according to the schedule and payment method you desire. Planned Giving: Remember IISD-ELA in your will. Make us a beneficiary of your individual RRSP, RRIF, TFSA or Life Insurance Policy, or transfer a portion of your funds to us. Planned Giving options enable you to create a lifetime stream of income for you and/or a family member and receive significant charitable income tax or estate tax deductions. Securities: Gifts of appreciated securities, stocks, bonds or mutual funds help for more than one year, are easy to make and can provide a greater tax benefit than an equivalent gift in cash. Real Estate: Under certain circumstances, IISD-ELA accepts gifts of appreciated real estate. Such a gift may help you avoid capital gains taxes and receive a charitable deduction for the full market value of the property. Water is the driving force of all nature. -Leonardo da Vinci 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0T4 Charitable Number: BN RR0001 iisd.org/ela IISDNews

6 Protecting our Fresh Water for Generations to Come While we do receive some core funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario, there remains so much untapped potential in the world s freshwater laboratory that requires stronger funding. If you support the Every Drop Is Life Campaign, your contribution will: Host exceptional students to develop core skills in freshwater research. Provide support to continue the collection of longterm data tracking climate change and atmospheric contaminants. Allow researchers to investigate and interpret ecological relationships, which can then be used to influence policy. Develop models to demonstrate the impacts of human activities on the environment. Support researchers dedicated to environmental concerns. GIVE TODAY! is one of the most fascinating places in the world. There is nowhere else in the world where researchers can manipulate, study and evaluate the impacts of pollution over several years on lakes and watersheds, and report definitively to scientists and policy-makers how the pollution has affected this invaluable resource. A sustainable Earth means we all need to work together individuals, communities, government and business. Your gift will help ensure that the cutting-edge research at IISD-ELA continues in perpetuity, and that fresh water can be preserved for future generations to come. Contact us today and help safeguard the world s freshwater supplies through: Every Drop Is Life Campaign: - Case for Support Tammy Hildebrand Director of Development Phone: (204) ext thildebrand@iisd-ela.org Thank you in advance for your support! We look forward to continuing this journey together in protecting our most valuable resource: water. 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0T4 Charitable Number: BN RR0001 iisd.org/ela IISDNews