WAYNESBORO— The Institute recently received a $73,000 grant through the Franklin County IMPACT! Grant Program. The funds will be used to purchase and install modern composting toilets to serve visitors at The Institute’s new nature center.
The organization purchased a 40-acre rural property in Washington Township with plans to create a nature education center for both students and the greater Waynesboro community.
“We are deeply grateful to the Franklin County Commissioners for this grant that will help us realize our vision for serving the regional community from our nature center with this critical infrastructure project in place,” said Tracy Holliday, Institute executive director.
The Clivus Multrum composting toilet system was invented in 1939. Such systems have been used in homes, parks and commercial buildings for decades.
“The composting process is reliable, convenient and safe,” Holliday said, “and the Clivus Multrum system is aligned with The Institute’s goal of incorporating and modeling sustainability.”
“The unit will conserve water and electricity and eliminate the need to install a septic system in that location. In addition, a continuously operating solar-powered fan creates a completely odorless bathroom at all times,” she said.
Funding through Franklin County’s IMPACT! Grant Program was available to nonprofit organizations, municipalities and municipal authorities located within Franklin County to support local recovery efforts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Franklin County Commissioners distributed grants for 127 projects across Franklin County.
The IMPACT! Grant Program was made possible through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
A nonprofit organization, The Institute provides programming in environmental education and cultural history for area school children, plus workshops, lectures, programs and community events for all ages.
For more information, visit www.NatureAndCultureInstitute.org, or contact The Institute at 717-762-0373 or via email: info@natureandcultureinstitute.org.
