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Women’s Conservation Programs

The Sustainability in Prisons Project strives to reduce the environmental, economic and human costs of prisons by implementing sustainable practices, green-collar education programs and ecological research projects. It’s a partnership founded by The Evergreen State College and Washington State Department of Corrections.

Sustainability in Prisons Project (2013)

Inmates at Mission Creek have reared over 7,000 Taylor’s checkerspot caterpillars to release at restoration sites in south Puget Sound prairies.
Inmate Liz Louie feeds a Taylor’s checkerspot honey water from a Q-tip. The butterflies were once widespread throughout this region.
The inmates keep detailed records during the rearing process. Through personal dedication and meticulous care they have achieved extremely high survival rates.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Inmate Carolina Landa gently handles an endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly at the Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly at Mission Creek Corrections Center. Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Carolina Landa grows and harvests plantain leaves to feed her hungry caterpillars. She recently co-authored a scientific paper about the butterflies’ native host plants.
Carolina Landa grows and harvests plantain leaves to feed her hungry caterpillars. She recently co-authored a scientific paper about the butterflies’ native host plants.
Plantain pesto to feed butterflies at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly catepillars at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly eggs at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
These colorful shells are left behind after adult butterflies emerge from their pupae.
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly chrysalises at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Sustainability in Prisons Project Co-Director Carri LeRoy shares information about the Taylor’s Checkerspot Program with visitors from San Quentin State Prison.
The custom greenhouse where incarcerated women at Mission Creek Corrections Center raise endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies.
Inmate Liz Louie returns to her room after working in the greenhouse. As butterfly technicians, Liz and Carolina care for the butterflies and caterpillars each day.
Officers Wright and Colton with inmates Carolina Landa and Liz Louie at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Officer P. Lewis at Mission Creek Corrections Center.
Conservation nursery at Washington Corrections Center for Women.
As conservation and restoration coordinator, Carl Elliot works with nearly 20 inmates at three conservation nursery locations to propagate over 40 native flower and grass species.
Carl Elliot works with nearly 20 inmates at three conservation nursery locations to propagate over 40 native flower and grass species.
Harsh Indian Paintbrush is an important host plant for Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies. These plants will be used at prairie restoration sites in the Puget Sound area.
Sierra Watts, Lisa Woolsey and Amber Mees listen to Carl Elliot in the conservation nursery at Washington Corrections Center for Women.
SPP Graduate Research Assistant Bri Morningred demonstrates the use of a dial seed sower for inmates Lisa Woolsey and Amber Mees.
SPP Conservation Nursery Crews are propagating over 300,000 native plants for the Joint Base Lewis McChord military base and other prairie restoration sites.
Labels for seed trays in the conservation nursery at Washington Corrections Center for Women.
Inmate Lisa Woolsey takes a closer look before sowing her tiny seeds.
The conservation nursery at Washington Corrections Center for Women.
Lisa Woolsey and Merry Keough top off newly planted trays of Harsh Indian Paintbrush with potting soil. The plant is an important host for Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies and will be transplanted to prairie restoration sites in the Puget Sound area.
Inmate Sierra Watts labels trays in a new Conservation Nursery hoop house at Washington Corrections Center for Women.
Harsh Indian Paintbrush is an important host plant for Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies. These plants will be used at prairie restoration sites in the Puget Sound area
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