Project Background and Status

Under the leadership of Gwen Minor, Middle School English Teacher at Clifford School, parents are working together to revitalize the Clifford Frog Pond in the upper yard as a respected habitat and learning environment. Last semester we removed the non-native pampas grasses, and this semester we are working on a landscape plan. This blog post captures some of the project's highlights and plans.

Frog pond during the first rain of the season (December) in Clifford's upper yard

Exhibit sign to be installed near the pond's observation deck explaining the habitat and frog lifecycle

School parent volunteers and hired landscapers who helped remove the non-native pampas grass bushes (tough job!) on December 15th

 Litter we found in the area after removing the pampas grass bushes

Here is the landscape plan of the restoration, which includes a redwood observation deck, bridge, stepping stones, and a short wood & cable fence to protect the area. Designed by dedicated Dad at Clifford School, Rick Thall. 

Fundraising

Fundraising donations will assist the construction of a Redwood Observation Deck next to the pond, so our students can witness “real life science” as nature unfolds. In addition, a short wooden and cable fence will protect the area from being trampled upon, to insure the habitat will be available to students in the future. The fundraising campaign that happened during the week of January 28th was a HUGE SUCCESS! We are on our way to meeting the financial goal, thanks to several donor families and an entire school who pitched in to help. 

Remaining funds can be covered through a Stepping Stone program. We estimate room for 20 stones at about $250 each (some stones have already been designated from a donation in the initial fundraiser), to be decided on a first come first serve basis, with priority to families who helped support the project.

If you would like to consider a donation, please contact Gwen Minor at gminor@rcsdk8.net. 

Construction Plan

Construction planned to start on March 9th / 10th for concrete work, and on March 16/17 for deck construction. If weather is poor, we can move the dates back. Hope is to have entire project completed before kids return from Spring Break.  Click HERE to see the detailed drawings.

Questions?

Contact Gwen Minor, Clifford's 7th Grade English Teacher who is the champion behind the project: gminor@rcsdk8.net

Or you can contact her helper, a parent volunteer Lorraine Akemann: lorraineakemann@gmail.com