ISC Courtyard Ponds

Project Mission and Educational Topics

This project, funded by a William & Mary Green Fee and proposed by Biology Professors P. Heideman and M. Leu, installed aquatic mesocosms in the Integrated Science Center (ISC) courtyard. The goal is to encourage visitors to observe and enjoy a small pond system — and perhaps even inspire them to set up and maintain similar aquatic mesocosms at home.

The ponds support fish, invertebrates, aquatic plants, and are surrounded by diverse vegetation and mosses. Educational materials are displayed on the pond structure and organized by the following topics:

• Pros/Cons of Backyard Ponds
• Managing Backyard Ponds
• Pond Safety
• Mosquito Management
• Ecology
• Conservation Biology