Hello, My name is Adam Bate and I am writing my blog post about the Wild Basin Wildlife Preserve located in Austin, TX. The preserve is managed by St Edwards University and is often used by the students for research. It is openly accessible to all and is a peaceful area where you can explore and learn about the native wildlife.

My visit to the preserve was primarily focused on how the toilet systems at the preserve work Visiting the Wild Basin Reserve made me appreciate environmentally friendly sanitation. We explored the evaporating and composting toilets, two clever technologies that are transforming waste management techniques.  As we started our educational tour, we became more aware of the delicate natural balance found in the reserve as well as the complex principles underlying these eco-friendly toilets.

 

When I first heard about evaporating toilets, I found it fascinating. Without water, how could toilet waste be properly managed and disposed? Trevor the reserve manager abnd our guide for the day gave a clear explanation of the evaporating toilet unit’s inner workings as we gathered around it. With the help of a fan and a series of grates, the system effectively separates liquid and solid waste, allowing the liquid waste to evaporate and leaving behind the solid matter which is gathered up into trash bags and disposed of like any other waste in the general waste bin. The technology used in evaporating toilets is a prime example of how human ingenuity can solve sustainability issues. Not only does this system save the environment from using so much water it also saves the preserve money as they do not incur water bills.

 

Additionally on site they have a composting toilet inside the main visitor centre which I will add has some excellent presentations about the wildlife in the preserve. Composting toilets are an additional environmentally friendly option to manage toilet waste that we learned about. Composting toilets don’t need water, in contrast to evaporating toilets. Rather, to promote decomposition, organic material is introduced to the waste chamber, such as wood shavings. The trash eventually turns into compost that is rich in nutrients and may be used to improve the soil and encourage plant development. Composting toilets is a simple and efficient way to manage waste, demonstrating the promise of using natural processes for sustainable waste management. It is a great way for the preserve to save money on buying compost for planting as well.

 

A wide variety of animals and plant species were flourishing in their native habitats as we explored the paths of the Wild Basin Reserve. Trevor, the preserve manager highlighted to us that it was important that the preserve not be tampered with and so it was important to stick to the designated trails and not interfere with the wildlife. An example of this is that dogs are not allowed onto the preserve as they may impact animals in the preserve.

 

 

To sum up, our exploration of the world of composting and evaporating toilets was both educational and highly interesting. We were able to obtain essential insights into the significance of sustainable sanitation and its significant environmental impact. I enjoyed the preserve and will definitely return to explore the trails, especially in the summer when all the wildlife is in full Bloom!

Adam Bate