Matthew McCandless has been the executive director of IISD Experimental Lakes Area Inc. (IISD-ELA) since its founding in April 2014. Prior to the transfer of the Experimental Lakes Area, Matt managed the negotiations and transition arrangements leading to the agreements that saw the Experimental Lakes Area become a part of the IISD. His primary responsibilities are with the administration and operation of the world’s only whole-ecosystem freshwater research facility. This involves oversight of research and field station operations, administration, human resources, and fundraising.
Matt’s research interests are primarily in the areas of hydrology, water quality and bioprocessing–often combining both policy and technical research. Since joining IISD in 2006, Matt has been involved in dozens of projects on water, agriculture and bioindustrial development in Canada, Africa (East, West, and Central), Asia (India and Bangladesh) and Latin America.
Prior to joining IISD, Matt worked in the private sector as a biosystems engineer on projects related to hydrology, bioenergy, water management in Canada and India. He has a Ph.D. in biosystems engineering from the University of Manitoba, a Master of Natural Resources Management from the University of Manitoba and and a Bachelor of Biological Engineering from Dalhousie University. Matt is a registered professional engineer.
All Publications
- A Year in the Life of the World’s Freshwater Laboratory: IISD Experimental Lakes Area Annual Report 2018-2019
Report - December 28, 2019
IISD Experimental Lakes Area's 2018-2019 annual report is a handy wall calendar for 2020 that takes you through a year in the life of our research. - Canada could take inspiration from U.S. environmental policy preventing algal blooms
Blog - March 11, 2019
Recent US legislation to combat algal blooms and protect fresh water shows bipartisan environmental action is still possible—and sets an example for other countries. - IISD Experimental Lakes Area Response to Ontario’s Commitments to Freshwater Protection in Preserving and Protecting our Environment for Future Generations: A Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan
Policy Brief - January 28, 2019
IISD-ELA's response to the Government of Ontario’s Environment Plan that sets out necessary steps and goals to achieve a more sustainable future for the province. - IISD’s Response to Manitoba’s Proposed New Water Rights Regulations to Protect Wetlands and Make Drainage More Sustainable in the Province
Discussion Paper - January 28, 2019
IISD's response to the Government of Manitoba's proposed drainage regulations aimed to ensure no net loss of wetland benefits while streamlining the drainage permitting process. - Freshwater Lakes’ Pollution Problems Go Beyond Plastics
Blog - December 3, 2018
Focusing solely on plastic pollution ignores the myriad problems — from algae to pollution — that plague our lakes - From Canada’s Lakes to the World: IISD Experimental Lakes Area Annual Report 2017-2018
Report - November 19, 2018
In this year's IISD-ELA annual report, we explore the impact that our research has had on the world’s fresh water over the last 50 years, what the future holds, and how we are celebrating our half century. - IISD Experimental Lakes Area 2016-2017 Annual Report
Report - October 23, 2017
In this year's annual report, we explore how IISD Experimental Lakes Area is innovating in the arena of freshwater science, to improve its own research, but also limnology across the world. - A discussion of the IISD-ELA inspired play 'The Watershed'
Video - January 5, 2017
'The Watershed', a play inspired by IISD Experimental Lakes Area, is coming to Winnipeg! Hear IISD-ELA's executive director, Matt McCandless speak with the playwright Annabel Soutar about the play and the new era of the world famous research site. - Opening Our Doors: IISD Experimental Lakes Area 2015-2016 Annual Report
Report - October 18, 2016
2015-2016 was the year that IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) truly opened its doors to the world. - IISD Experimental Lakes Area Annual Report 2014-2015
Paper - January 6, 2015
The 2014-15 IISD Experimental Lakes Area annual report includes highlights from some members of staff and the board, as well as some stats from our first year and images of our 58 beautiful lakes and their watersheds. - Peatland Mining in Manitoba’s Interlake: Cumulative impacts analysis focusing on potential nutrient loading and greenhouse gas emissions
Paper - April 30, 2015
Peat has been mined in Manitoba for over 70 years and currently represents approximately 13 per cent of Canada’s horticulture peat production... - IISD Experimental Lakes Area (brochure)
Brochure - October 23, 2017
Want to know more about IISD Experimental Lakes Area—the world's freshwater laboratory? Take a look at our brochure! - The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water
Paper - October 30, 2014
The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water is a legal and policy tool for governments and communities that are involved in negotiating investment contracts with foreign investors. - Water-Energy-Food Nexus and Agricultural Investment: A sustainable development guidebook
Paper - March 28, 2014
The nexus between water, energy and food (WEF) security is a critical component of human well-being, and billions of dollars are spent annually on... - Cost-Benefit Analysis of Three Proposed Distributed Water Storage Options for Manitoba
Paper - January 25, 2014
This report attempts to demonstrate how land management best practices to prevent floods and droughts can also provide significant nutrient... - Cattails Harvesting for Carbon Offsets and Nutrient Capture: A "Lake Friendly" greenhouse gas project
Paper - September 20, 2013
The Cattail Biomass Harvesting project is pursuing and evaluating the commercial-scale harvesting of cattail (Typha spp.) for its multiple co... - Climate Risk Management for Local Agricultural Cooperatives in Rwanda: A training of trainers' manual
Book - September 10, 2013
This training of trainers' manual helps cooperative members identify the main climate risks that can hamper their cooperative's performance and... - Cattail (Typha spp.) Harvesting in Manitoba: A legislative and market analysis for operationalization and carbon emission offsets
Paper - July 24, 2013
Research findings from the Netley-Libau Nutrient-Bioenergy project are encouraging replication of the cattail harvesting concept in areas in the... - Comparative Analysis of Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Lessons from Tunisia and Indonesia
Paper - April 22, 2013
Vulnerability assessments (VAs) are central to shaping climate change adaptation decisions.They help to define the nature and extent of the threat... - The Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus: Towards A Practical Planning and Decision Support Framework for Landscape Investment and Risk Management
Paper - February 27, 2013
In recent decades, researchers and policy-makers have increasingly emphasized the importance of the complex relationships between water, energy and... - Climate Risk Management for Sustainable Crop Production in Uganda: Rakai and Kapchorwa Districts
Paper - February 7, 2013
Agriculture is the backbone of the Ugandan economy. Most of it is rain-fed and relies on limited external inputs, making the country very sensitive... - Sustainable Wetland Management in the Face of Climate Risks in Niger: the Case of La Mare de Tabalak
Paper - February 7, 2013
Niger's wetlands are critical to poverty reduction, food security and biodiversity conservation, especially given the limited the irregular... - Ecological Goods and Services: A Review of Best Practice in Policy and Programing
Paper - September 3, 2011
This research paper provides a review of programing and research in ecological goods and services (EGS) internationally and in Canada.The... - Envisioning the Watershed of the Future
Video - February 12, 2011
Matthew McCandless and Dean Medeiros of the Water Innovation Centre present on a hypothetical watershed at the Lake Winnipeg Basin Summit, held in... - Expanding Agriculture's Role in the International Climate Change Regime: Capturing the opportunities
Paper - September 21, 2010
Agriculture's profile in the international negotiations on climate change is increasing.Agriculture is responsible for around 14 per cent of global... - The Emerging International Climate Change Regime: Opportunities and challenges for the Canadian agricultural sector
Paper - September 21, 2010
Canada's agricultural sector will be affected by policy decisions that respond to the climate change challenge.At the international level,... - Water Quality Trading in the Lake Winnipeg Basin: A multi-level trading system architecture.
Paper - July 13, 2010
Lake Winnipeg is an iconic feature on the Canadian Prairie landscape and its multi-jurisdictional basin covers the majority of Western Canada's... - Full Cost Accounting for Agriculture (Final Report) - Valuing public benefits accruing from agricultural beneficial management practices: An impact pathway analysis for Tobacco Creek, Manitoba
Paper - December 23, 2008
This study, prepared for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provides an illustrative estimate of the public benefit of agricultural beneficial...