1. An elevated pond surrounded by a wildlife garden with limited access for up to 12 students. The pond can be 10” to 20” in depth with edges tapering down. Vegetation surrounding the pond on three sides should be “wild and weedy” requiring little maintenance. Vegetation should hang over pond and small shrubs, rocks and tree branches should border the area. The pond should not be in direct sunlight and should relate to other natural elements in the Courtyard. The pond must be elevated at least 32” above the ground and have an area of earth and stone 14” in width at minimum to prevent students from having direct access to the water. The pond should be no longer than 7feet and 4 feet wide and have a suitable liner. Other elements to be included are a skimmer and waterfall feature to provide for water circulation (see attached PDF file)
2. The pond should provide a place were students can study aquaculture to include insects, amphibians including frogs and toads. Fish do not have to be included. The pond should be a place where students can take samples of water that can be analyzed under a microscope (inside). And provide an example of an ecosystem where the cycle of life-plants, insects and amphibians can be established and studied.
3. Groups of up to 12 students supervised by a teacher can develop individual and group study of the ecosystem and study the life-cycle of frogs and amphibians from egg to tadpole to maturity and the mutually beneficial relationship between
larger animals, insects and plants.

4. The pond should be related to plants, insects and butterflies, weather station,
composting, greenhouse and birdhouses.

5. The element requires a plan and engineering to provide a safe and secure area and
to minimize danger to the students. Also a pond kit including plumbing, a liner a
a skimmer and waterfall for water circulation. Also initially tadpoles should be purchased to establish frogs. These features will necessarily
require some maintenance.

6. Resources required for the pond will be a architectural plan, installation will require running underground piping for water. Water for the pond has to be initially treated and filtered and a suitable pond kit including a thick plastic liner must be purchased. (see attached PDF)
7. There will be some maintenance required and wintering over is another issue that will require a yearly plan. Maintenance and safety must be accounted for.

8. Although the pond requires some maintenance, maintenance can be minimized by choosing a good installation. It neither should be too large nor too small and