Viles Arboretum welcomes thousands of people a year to our sprawling 224 acres in Central Augusta. Those of us in the public land management "industry" would describe this space as "mixed used," meaning that there are many ways that our visitors use this space - from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter to hikers looking for an informative walk through our 20 botanical collections.
We are also proud to welcome leashed dogs (and occasionally cats!) to this wonderful place. If you're a dog owner, and you don't happen to own a large piece of land, you know how difficult it can be to get your dog exercise.
This has presented some challenges around animal waste, which isn't just unsightly. According to a factsheet put out by the EPA, "pet waste doesn't just decompose. It adds harmful bacteria and nutrients to local waters, when it's not disposed of properly. It might not seem like a stormwater problem, but animal waste is one of the many seemingly small sources of pollution that can add up to big problems for water quality, and even human health."
This September, we reached out to two organizations to help fund the installation of two pet waste stations, in order to address this issue. Being a non-profit, the cost of this project without external support would not have been feasible within our budget. Since their installation, we've seen a dramatic decrease in waste around the property.
We're proud to share that our friends at Companion Animal Clinic and the Dog Tracking Club of Maine have stepped forward in support of this effort. Thank you! Please support these philanthropic organizations with your business the next time the opportunity presents itself!
