[Nhcoll-l] compost

[Sheldon Teare]

Hi,
We cover our regular composting with a tarp and then a metal mesh cage. In Australia we are concerned about the compost becoming too dry - so we use the tarp to help limit that. We have noticed that drier sections of the compost do not perform as well.
Our compost location is reasonably remote, which makes it difficult to for us to manually control the moisture in the heap.

We have wrapped parts of the specimen in landscape fabric so smaller bones don't get lost.

I am not a fan of burial. I understand it is sometimes the only option. But I would always advocate for composting. Burial can have uncontrolled elements - materials, processes, drainage, chemistry of the soil, access/excavation. You can have more control of what goes into your compost and better access.

Cheers,
Sheldon

Sheldon Teare
Natural Sciences Conservator, Materials Conservation | Australian Museum Research Institute
Australian Museum  1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
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From: Nhcoll-l [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Watkins-Colwell, Gregory
Sent: Friday, 11 January 2019 6:51 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] compost

Just a quick question to all those who have composted larger specimens for skeletal prep.

I'm wondering if anybody covers the compost pile with something like a tarp or maybe landscape fabric?  What are the pros and cons of doing that?


Greg


****************
Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell
Collection Manager, Herpetology and Ichthyology
Division of Vertebrate Zoology
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
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New Haven, CT  06520
USA
Main Office: 203-432-3791;  West Campus: 203-737-7568; Fax 203-432-9277

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