New Land Trust

A brand-new outhouse now located on the Parking Lot-236 trail. It’s not only aesthetically pleasing, it has some neat features.

Welcome to the NLT Moldering Privy

DIRECTIONS for use:

Please PACK OUT TRASH, including all feminine hygiene products, food waste, paper, etc.

Do not use the privy for garbage disposal.

Do your business as you normally would. THROW IN A HANDFUL OF WOOD SHAVINGS WHEN YOU ARE DONE. Simply cover your deposit with a handful (about one cup) of shavings from the bag provided, or duff from the forest floor. Duff is preferred since it contains natural bacteria and fungus that aid the decomposition process but the shavings are adequate. Extra duff or shavings are discouraged because they will fill the moldering chamber prematurely. Please CLOSE THE LID to help keep odors and the flies down.

Please LATCH THE DOOR to keep the critters away.

In this privy, native soil microbes decompose the sewage in mesophilic (low temperature) and aerobic (using oxygen) conditions above the ground level. This is why the outhouse is elevated. Pathogens are reduced by bacterial and invertebrate competition. Peeing in the privy helps to maintain the necessary moisture balance to aid in decomposition. It is important to keep foreign objects out of the moldering chamber. Garbage is disruptive to the chamber and makes for some unpleasant “fishing” for our volunteers.

Thank You