Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit
The Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit
The Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit (Co-op Unit), housed within the Vale Living With Lakes Centre, was established in 1989 and is a unique and successful partnership between Laurentian University, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and Canadian Forest Services, Natural Resources Canada, with collaborators from the mining industry (Vale and Glencore SINO), several other universities (York, Queens, Nipissing, Norwegian University of Life Sciences) and the City of Greater Sudbury.
It was established as the first resource management co-op unit in Ontario to share resources and create closer, more effective working relationships between government, industry and universities to effectively address important, applied, environmental research questions.
From an initial focus on restoration ecology of acid and metal-damaged waters of northeastern Ontario, the Co-op Unit has broadened its research to address multiple stressors that may affect the health of aquatic ecosystems throughout the north. These include climate change, invasive species, urban development, trace contaminants, loss of biodiversity and excessive exploitation. New research is focused on understanding the vulnerable ecosystems in Far North Ontario, which are under increasing pressures from resource extraction industries and climate change. Science is desperately needed in this area so that development can happen in a responsible way to benefit Aboriginal communities and all Canadians.
Researchers
Researchers and Program Leads
Jackie Litzgus
Director, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit (CFEU), Vale Living with Lakes Centre (VLWLC)
Dr. Jane Goodall Research Fellow in Conservation Biology
VLWLC, School of Natural Sciences (SoNS), Laurentian University
Chantal Barriault
Director, Science Communication Graduate Program
VLWLC, SoNS, Laurentian University
Brie Edwards
Biomonitoring Scientist
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
VLWLC Cross-appointed Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Elizabeth (Liz) Favot
Assistant Professor of Aquatic Ecology, School of Natural Sciences
Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre
Tom Johnston
Fisheries Research Scientist
Ministry of Natural Resources
VLWLC, Cross-appointed Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Nadia Mykytczuk
President and CEO MIRARCO
Executive Director, Goodman School of Mines
Environmental Microbiologist
VLWLC, Cross-appointed Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Chantal Sarrazin-Delay
Team Lead, Up North on Climate
VLWLC, Adjunct Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Researchers Located Within Laurentian University Departments
Mateus Pepinelli
Assistant Professor, SoNS, Laurentian University
Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, Vale Living with Lakes Centre
Janice Kenney
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
Laurentian University
Researchers At Other Institutions
Shelley Arnott
Aquatic Ecologist, Adjunct Laurentian
Faculty, Dept. of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON
Nathan Basiliko
Environmental Microbiologist, Adjunct Laurentian
Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University
Erik Emilson
Research Scientist CFS, Cross-appointed Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Great Lakes For. Res. Centre, CFS NRCAN, Sault Ste Marie, ON
April James
CRC Tier 2 Watershed Analysis and Modelling
Biology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON
Gretchen Lescord
Assistant Professor, University of Florida
School of Forests, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences
Director of Florida LAKEWATCH
Colin McCarter
CRC Tier 2 Climate and Environmental Change
Assistant Professor, Nipissing University
Pascale Roy-Léveillée
Research Chair in Permafrost Geomorphology, Université Laval
Associate Professor of Geography, Université Laval
Heidi Swanson
Aquatic Ecologist
Jarislowsky Chair in Sustainable Water Futures, Wilfrid Laurier University
Andrew Tanentzap
Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems
School of the Environment, Trent University
Adjunct Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Shaun Watmough
Professor and Director, School of the Environment
Trent University
Pete Whittington
Professor and Chair, Department of Geography and Environment, Brandon University
CFEU Senior Research Fellows
Peter Beckett
CFEU Senior Research Fellow in Ecosystem Restoration
VLWLC, Emeritus Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
John Gunn
CFEU Senior Fellow in Stressed Aquatic Systems
VLWLC, Emeritus Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Founding Director of VLWLC, 2011-2022
Bill Keller
CFEU Senior Research Fellow in Northern Studies
VLWLC, Laurentian University
David Pearson
CFEU Senior Research Fellow in Climate Adaptation
Associate Lead, Science and Communication, Up North on Climate
VLWLC, Emeritus Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Charles Ramcharan
CFEU Senior Research Fellow in Freshwater Biology
Emeritus Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Bjorn Rosseland
Fish Physiologist and Ecotoxicologist
Emeritus Faculty, Norwegian University of Life Sci., Aas, Norway
Graeme Spiers
CFEU Senior Research Fellow in Pedology (Soil Science)
Emeritus Faculty, SoNS, Laurentian University
Norm Yan
CFEU Senior Research Fellow in Aquatic Ecology
Emeritus Faculty, Biology, York University
Publications
About the Vale Living With Lakes Centre
The Vale Living with Lakes Centre at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Canada, is located in the “City of Lakes” within one of the great mining regions of the world.
The Centre is a multidisciplinary research and monitoring institute designed to assist in the protection and management of northern aquatic ecosystems. It is a place of experimentation and innovation where top young scientists are trained.
The Centre is well equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and workshop and conference facilities. However, its uniqueness lies in its strong culture of collaboration and science communication, building on a long history of partnerships among scientists, universities, government agencies, and industries.
Here we have the makings of a true “incubator” of new ideas and approaches for the advancement of environmental science. Important too is the bold statement that the building itself makes – an award-winning building that demonstrates the best of energy and water saving technologies.
