Inaugural Annual Science Meeting 2018

• Media Advisory

GWF met as a whole for the first time and has brought together a large and comprehensive transdisciplinary group of water researchers and stakeholders in water research who discussed progress in meeting the GWF Grand Challenge. This meeting was remarkable for being exceptionally comprehensive in the subjects represented, for the early and rapid progress shown, and for being hosted and co-organized by a First Nation, on its own territory.

Over 400 people attended from across Canada, and from UN, WCRP and Future Earth. The meeting included 160 presententations by academics, students, researchers, Indigenous knowledge holders, policy makers, managers and communicators as well as a visit to Six Nations of the Grand River where researchers and community members engaged in land-based knowledge exchange activities. 

Special attention was paid to progress in:

• international linkages for GWF,
• regional and topical scientific advances in Canada,
• co-creation of knowledge with First Nations
• needs of Young Professionals and
• integration of research needs and advances in understanding and technology on:
  • modelling and observations,
  • aquatic environment and ecosystems,
  • human-water interactions,
  • watershed management and disturbance, and
  • climate and extreme weather.

GWF would like to express our gratitude to the planning and organizing committee consisting of GWF members and volunteers from McMaster University, Six Nations of the Grand River and University of Saskatchewan. This event would not have been possible without their hard work - thank you!