Tundra Ecosystem Research Station (TERS) was established in 1994 as a multi-purpose facility to facilitate long-term research and monitoring of the tundra ecosystem. It also supports the conservation education program Tundra Science and Culture Camp, which has been operating since 1995.

Location

TERS is located on Daring Lake, Northwest Territories about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife at 111°35´West 64°52´North. It is in the Southern Arctic Ecozone, 50 km north of the treeline.

The area is now considered ancestral land of the Tlicho (Dogrib) Dene. Ancient artifacts and debris, such as chipped stones and tools, have provided evidence of past traditional use.

Facility

The research station is a model facility using solar and wind power. It also uses the latest techniques in waste management and bear deterrence. TERS operates as a cooperative with many partner organizations.

The station consists of ten Weatherhaven buildings  including two accommodation buildings, a kitchen/dining hall, a washhouse, two laboratories and several buildings for equipment maintenance and storage.

Several of the buildings are heated for spring use. The station also has hot water, shower facilities and a full kitchen. The camp has two refrigerators and four freezers. Electrical power is provided throughout the camp by a wind generator and solar panels.

The research station can accommodate up to 20 people during the spring months and 30 people during the summer when small tents can be used.

Laboratory and field equipment including boats, motors, snowmobiles and hand-held radios are available at the facility.

Laboratory

• Dry laboratory with various sampling and equipment including a drying oven and dissecting microscopes
• Herbarium and lichen collections available on site

Power

• Solar, wind and back-up gas generator
• Electrical power is available to run most research equipment
• Iridium satellite telephone system
• High-speed wireless internet

Access

• Access from Yellowknife is by charter aircraft, ski-equipped aircraft in the spring and float plane in the summer. 
• The GNWT can arrange charters to the reesearch station to maximize cost-sharing opportunities.

Local transportation

• Two aluminum boats and motors, four snowmobiles and sleds available on site.

Fuel availability

• The GNWT can arrange fuel caching. Contact the Station Manager for details.
• The GNWT maintains a fuel cache of Jet-B, Av-Gas, unleaded gas and heating oil for the research station and GNWT projects.

Land claims

• The Daring Lake area is part of the lands included in the Tlicho Land Claim and Self-government Agreement.

Other local resources

• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada maintains an automated weather station at the site.
• The GNWT has produced several vegetation classifications for the area.
• Weather data, vegetation classifications and other monitoring data are available to researchers.

Terms and conditions of use

• Contact the Station Manager for terms and conditions of use of the research station.

Nearest community

• Wekweti, NWT (150 km).

Nearest medical service

• Health Centre at Ekati Mine (50 km).

Licences and permits

• Contact  the Aurora Research Institute for information on permits and licences required.

Availability

• The research station is operated on a full-time basis from May to September by  an on-site Camp Manager.
• The station may be used during the winter for short periods of time, by request to the Station Manager. 

Cost

• Costs include accommodation, food, phone service and equipment use.
•  Logistic support may be available.
• Contact the Station Manager for a list of user costs.

Research history

• Research and monitoring programs have been on-going at the research station since 1995.
• Contact the Station Manager for a list of research and monitoring studies and contacts.