Kluane Lake Research Station

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For fifty years, Kluane Lake Research Station (KLRS) has been one of the most heavily-used field research stations in northern Canada. The significance and diversity of research opportunities combined with comparative logistic simplicity are unrivalled. KLRS provides an entry-point to the Icefield Ranges of the St. Elias Mountains, which comprise Canada's highest mountains and largest glaciers. The extreme elevation difference (>5000 m) between Kluane Lake and the crest of the St. Elias Mountains establishes a strong environmental gradient and creates exceptionally diverse research opportunities within a small geographical area. KLRS has grown in importance over the past decade, at a time when all eyes are on the Arctic through the International Polar Year (IPY) and buoyed by a strong desire expressed by the Canadian government to increase our scientific presence in the North. KLRS record of supporting scientific excellence is illustrated both by the caliber of science conducted there and by the geographically-diverse institutional bases of principal investigators from a dozen Canadian universities. KLRS is also a focal point for international collaboration through participation in the circumpolar network of terrestrial field stations (SCANNET) and the European funded INTERACT program, as well as though linkages with the University of Alaska. KLRS supports an ambitious multi-disciplinary study of climate change in the western sub-arctic mountains of Canada, focusing on physical and biological processes, studies of contaminants, paleo-environments and modeling. A new cohort of researchers has established research programs at KLRS and a $2.3M upgrade of the station was completed in spring 2011, ensuring a dynamic future for the station. Funds from partners, universities and NSERC will be used to develop and expand new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. There will also be a continued emphasis on training through graduate students, field courses, and through collaboration with northern communities, local, territorial and federal government agencies, including Kluane National Park, Yukon College, the University of Alaska, and with local First Nations.