[Nhcoll-l] [External] Re: compost

Thu Jan 10 23:12:46 EST 2019

We have cleaned many large specimens, primarily marine mammals, by burying them in manure. Luckily, the vet school horse barn is only about 1/2 mile from our manure bins. We've also gotten horse manure from the fairgrounds, which are also close by. The bins are ~6'x6' with 4' high walls. When the bins are in use we place a large section of fence over the top and secure it. We built boxes out of 1cm hardware cloth to hold individual specimens.  Large bones (whale skulls) may not need the hardware cloth box. Parts with smaller bones, like flippers, are wrapped in screen to prevent loss. For all of these, we first lay down a good layer of manure and make every effort to have all parts completely covered by manure. It may settle, especially after a rain, and need a bit more added. This system has worked very well with bones coming out of manure quite clean.  After manure we just scrub bones with soap and water. It can take several months, at least, to clean larger specimens. But it is safe for the specimens and easy.

Lisa J. Gatens
Curator of Mammals
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W. Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 707-9946

E-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
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From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Sheldon Teare <Sheldon.Teare at austmus.gov.au>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2019 4:59:51 PM
To: Watkins-Colwell, Gregory; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [External] Re: [Nhcoll-l] compost

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless you verified. Send all suspicious email as an attachment to report.spam at nc.gov<mailto:report.spam at nc.gov>

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

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Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell

Collection Manager, Herpetology and Ichthyology

Division of Vertebrate Zoology

Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History

170 Whitney Avenue, Box 208118

New Haven, CT  06520

USA

Main Office: 203-432-3791;  West Campus: 203-737-7568; Fax 203-432-9277

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