The Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum –
a meeting of all the minds in our basin.
Since 2004, the annual International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum has been a strategic incubator for cross-border research, management collaboration, networking and communication.
The Foundation leads a partnership of agencies to organize the Forum each year. Attended each year by upwards of 160 research and resource managers, the Forum is the "hub" for all groups working to ensure the future ecological integrity of the waters of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin.
Announcement and Call for Abstracts
2024 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum - Save the date and call for abstracts
Location: Minnesota North College - Rainy River campus, International Falls, MN.
Date: March 6–7, 2024
Overview: Professional symposium for research and resource managers, policy makers and the public interested in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed.
Themes: Climate change, nutrients and algae; paeleolimnology, aquatic invasive species; sediment studies; hydrology, fisheries, emerging technologies and more...
We are also planning a focus session on water quality objectives, alerts, and core monitoring needs.
Abstract Deadline: December 15, 2023. Please submit the following to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Presenter Information: Name, Research Organization or Agency, Mailing Address, Telephone, Email, Brief Bio.
- Submittal Information: Author(s), Presentation or Poster, Title, Abstract, Location of study (i.e., lake name, river name, or GPS coordinate etc.
Registration will open January 4, 2024 — But for now, save the date and get your abstracts in early!
Conference details: more details will be coming soon this fall at the Foundation's website www.lowwsf.com/watershed-forum.
Registration Info
Registration will open January 4, 2024. Registration details, including cost will be available later this fall.
Where to stay
Information on where to stay, and Forum group rates at the hotel are coming soon.
Deborah Battigelli Memorial Fund - Student Support
Limited travel support may be available to assist postgraduate students to present their research at the Forum, from the Deborah Battigelli Memorial Fund at the Foundation. Support is typically offered for up to one student per year. To receive support through the fund, a candidate's research abstracts must be accepted for presentation at the Forum. To apply, contact Todd Sellers, Executive Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Battigelli family established the Deborah Battigelli Memorial Fund at LOWWSF to honour Deborah’s love of life at the lake and her interest to preserve the lake area for future generations to continue to enjoy what she loved. The Fund assists the up-and-coming generation of scientists with their research on our lakes with limited travel support to present their research at the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum.
Kallemeyn Award - Call for Nominations
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Kallemeyn Award. Nominations will be accepted until December 15, 2023.
To nominate someone, please use the online Kallemeyn Award Nomination Form
The Kallemeyn Award is presented annually by the Foundation to an individual who has demonstrated in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed:
- Outstanding professional achievement in scientific research or resource management.
- Significant contributions to collaborative and cooperative approaches to research or resource management internationally.
The Award will be presented at the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum (March 6-7, 2024) when there’s a deserving recipient as determined by the selection committee.
Wilson Stewardship Award - Call for Nominations
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Wilson Stewardship Award. Nominations will be accepted until December 15, 2023.
To nominate an individual, group, or projects, please use the online Wilson Award Nomination Form
The Wilson Stewardship Award is presented by the Foundation to individuals, groups, or projects that have made significant contributions to environmental stewardship in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods watershed through:
- Education, outreach, civic engagement and participation in stewardship initiatives or program development.
- Projects or programs focused on protection, restoration, preservation or reduction of environmental impact and development of sustainable practices.
The Award will be presented at the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum (March 6-7, 2024) when there’s a deserving recipient as determined by the selection committee.
Thanks To Our 2024 Forum Sponsors
The 2024 Forum would not be possible without the support of many organizations:
- Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation
- Grand Council Treaty #3
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Global Affairs Canada
- Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association
- Minnesota North College - Rainy River campus
- Rainy Lake Conservancy
To become a supporter, please contact Todd Sellers, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or toll free 886-370-8891.
2024 Forum Organizing Committee
- Todd Sellers, Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation
- Jesse Anderson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Mike Kennedy, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Andrew Paterson, Ontario Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks
- Lucas King, Territorial Planning Unit, Grand Council Treaty 3
- Kayla Bowe, Red Lake Department of Natural Resources
- Ryan Maki, Voyageurs National Park
- Kelly Sjerven, Minnesota North College - Rainy River campus
- Diana Fred, Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Matt Julius, Minnesota St. Cloud State University
- Teika Newton, Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation