Frog Pond

Our partners for this outdoor classroom are the US Forest Service (provided funding for the waders, water quality testing equipment, nets, and the board walk) & Jacksonville State University. All water on the Munford High and Middle campuses flows into the three-tiered wetland system. This system flows down to a catchpond and then overflows into the Frog Pond. Dr. Mark Meade from the biology department is working with our Advanced Biology classes on researching and surveying our ponds and others for the Chyrid Fungus on amphibians. This fungus is killing off amphibians in South America in mass numbers due to cutting down the rain forest. There is evidence of this fungus in the United States. Dr. Meade and his graduate student came earlier this year and shocked both the frog pond and the holding pond of the wetlands as our students waded into the water with nets and buckets. Our advanced biology students collected frogs and fish for identification. The results of their research are now on display in the halls of MHS. In addition to working with our frog ponds, Mrs. Bowers’ Advanced Biology classes took a tour of the laboratory at JSU. In addition to working with Dr. Meade, the students have also completed an internship with other science professors at JSU and helped them with their research. Also, Dr. Meade works with the biology students and his graduate students to survey streams and creeks on Mt. Cheaha by electro-shocking and identifying native and nonnative species in the local streams. Dr. Meade worked with our students to identify amphibians with the chytrid fungus. Dr. Rayburn and Dr Cline have come out numerous times for amphibian identification.