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Photo byChris Miner

The Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (ELEEC) is the result of an agreement between the Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). QUBS is one of the pre-eminent biological field stations in Canada known for research excellence and quality undergraduate learning experiences in field biology and other fields. NCC is Canada’s leading national land conservation organization that partners with corporate and landowners secure properties for conservation of biodiversity in perpetuity. The Education Centre was created in June 2011 to serve as a major site for environmental outreach and education for QUBS.

Our Mission

Conserve and protect the natural heritage of Elbow Lake and environs for future generations of Canadians.
Provide a unique venue for public outreach and educational programs in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.
Engage in programs for public awareness of biodiversity and environmental issues for people of all ages.
Provide outdoor programs to enhance biological and natural history teaching components of school curricula.
Foster partnerships with like-minded educational and conservation organizations.

The Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre can host a range of activities including school field trips, field courses, club meetings, individual or group retreats, and small conferences. We welcome visits from educators, academics, environmental organizations, and other conservation partners, and would be pleased to work with you to offer customized programming specific to your interests and needs.

Have You Caught A Tagged Fish In Elbow Lake? Give us more info to help with our long term monitoring study! Click Here to report your catch.

Connect with us! @ElbowLakeEEC

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Upcoming Event

February 19 (Sunday)- Family Ice Fishing Day

Hosted by ELEEC

Join us for an afternoon of ice fishing from noon-4 pm. Learn about what lurks beneath the ice and tips and tricks for success. Bring your own equipment or borrow one of our rods. When you’re done fishing, warm up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.

Fishing licenses are not needed as it is License-Free in Ontario from February 18-20th, 2023.

Come for the afternoon or stay for a night in one of our heated cabins (special rate of $85/cabin).

Registration is required to attend this event. Link coming soon.

Please note that Elbow Lake only allows the use of barbless hooks, no live bait, and is catch and release only.

This is a free program offered by the Queen's University Biological Station. We are always happy to accept donations to support environmental education initiatives and enhance our education and outreach programs. Visit here to donate.

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Elbow Lake Trail Guide

App Screenshot The essential travel companion for visitors to the Elbow Lake property.

Latest News

Working Towards Truth and Reconciliation

Posted onSeptember 29, 2021

The Queen’s University Biological Station acknowledges that reconciliation is a long-term process and that it is the responsibility of all Canadians to reflect on the ways in which they can contribute to meaningful change. Accordingly, through engagement with the local Indigenous community, QUBS is committed to active learning and engagement in truth and reconciliation work through two ongoing projects.

In March 2020 and 2021, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Promoscience program awarded QUBS with a total of three years of funding to create five STEM Learning Bundles bringing together Indigenous land-based knowledge, Ontario Science curriculum outcomes, and locally conducted STEM studies. Our project, known as QUILLS (Queen’s University Indigenous Land-Based Learning STEM), is collaborative, drawing on the expertise of local Indigenous knowledge holders, teachers, and Queen’s STEM faculty, and is geared towards integrating the themes of the biodiversity crisis, global climate change, traditional Indigenous knowledge systems and the environment, invasive species, and contaminants in the environment. In addition to the Learning Bundles, tailored to grades 7-10, QUBS is also creating short videos to accompany each bundle and facilitating professional development sessions for local teachers in the Limestone District School Board and Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Boards. Stay tuned for the release of these locally-focused, decolonized STEM learning resources!

Additionally, with funding from the Frontenac Township and TD Friends of the Environment fund, QUBS is excited to be converting a section of the Red trail at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre to be accessible for all users. This wheelchair-accessible trail will take visitors through several habitats, concluding at a thriving beaver pond. Working with local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders, QUBS is also creating four interpretive signs that will be installed along the trail. The signs will highlight plants and animals important to local Indigenous groups and provide translations for Anishinaabemowin and Kanien’kéha language learners. To go along with these signs, there will also be virtual app stations for visitors to learn more about the highlighted plants and animals and listen to words and traditional stories from both cultures, translated in both languages. A sign will also be placed at the beginning of the trail to explain the project and the traditional land use of this area before European settlement. Construction on the trail is soon to be completed, and signs will be installed in December 2021!

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