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Seeds in Rhode Island: Ocean Hour Workshop & Merino Park Toilet
In June, we partnered with Ocean Hour Farm–an organization dedicated to investigating how regenerative land stewardship can improve ocean health–to host a workshop on urine diversion as a tool for nutrient pollution prevention. The event fostered cross-pollination between communities from both Cape Cod, MA and Rhode Island, where there is rising interest in the potential of nutrient cycling for watershed protection, and explored next steps for implementation.
Then on July 19, we went back to RI to celebrate a milestone for peecycling in Providence: the ribbon-cutting for a new urine-diverting public toilet at Merino Park! Through a participatory budgeting process, residents of central Providence voted to bring public bathroom access to the park. The toilet is the result of collaborative work between many community partners and Wasted*, who created and installed the toilet. The contained, above ground design was particularly important because the park is in the floodplain of Woonasquatucket River. A Green Re-Entry staff member will steward the toilet, helping to orient community members and share how it works.
We’re excited to continue to learn more about the potential for urine diversion in Rhode Island, to meet local nutrient pollution challenges in ponds and bays and support local food system initiatives. Take this short survey to connect with others in RI!
