Faculty of Science

Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station: a hub for environmental sciences

Tucked away on the peaceful shores of Lake Memphremagog, the Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station blends a serene atmosphere with scientific discoveries. Operated by McGill University’s Faculty of Science and managed by the Gault Nature Reserve, the station provides a base for research and teaching in limnology, aquatic ecology, and environmental science. Whether for long-term studies, student projects, or short sampling campaigns, the station offers researchers and students a central hub for fieldwork. Comfortable on-site lodging, a workspace for basic sample preparation and analysis, and direct access to the lake make it easy to deploy instruments, collect data, observe, and experiment, all within a protected natural environment. Moreover, with roughly 100 hectares of adjoining forest, as well as streams, rivers and over thirty nearby lakes and ponds in the vicinity, the station provides a wide range of research sites. From the field A Professor in the Department of Biology, Irene Gregory-Eaves and her students have been regulars at the field station for the past 20 years. As a Canada Research Chair in Freshwater Ecology, Gregory-Eaves and her research team focus on understanding how human activities since the Industrial Revolution have affected lake structure and function by studying ecological changes in freshwater lakes. “The Penfield station is a great spot to do research, particularly with all of the upgrades that the Gault staff have done over the past few years,” she said. “With direct access to Lake Memphremagog and many other lakes nearby, it’s a paradise for an aquatic scientist.” Over the years, students ranging from undergraduates to post-doctoral fellows have contributed to research led Gregory-Eaves’ lab at the station, producing over a dozen publications and counting. “The Penfield station provides a very multi-functional space that not only houses field teams but also provides the lab space to do basic initial processing of samples and storing of equipment,” said Gregory-Eaves. “Its relative proximity to Montréal means that I can easily go and train students, and afterwards they can carry on by themselves while still being supported by me and others.” Open seasonally from May to October, the site provides a gateway to the rich ecosystems of the Eastern Townships. For more information, visit the Wilder and Helen Penfield Research Station website. Interested in planning a research project at the station? Find out how to submit your research permit application. Looking to find out more about its history? Read more here about its founding in 1975 and its development in becoming a significant site for research in limnology and aquatic ecology.