Prairie conservation nursery technicians learn about federally endangered harsh paintbrush (Castilleja hispida) at WCCW. Photo by Benj Drummond.

Ecological Conservation Programs

SPP’s conservation programs encompass a huge range of activities and topics but share three things in common.

  1. The focus of the work is Ecological conservation: preserving and protecting something valuable, such as a species, landscape, and/or other natural resources.
  2. The work depends on strong partnerships with expert partners; Adding to the WA Corrections and Evergreen partnership, individuals from many organizations share their knowledge, resources, and enthusiasm.
  3. Incarcerated program partners are both students and technicians; They receive formal education and training plus hands-on experience. Essentially, these are college-level internships, and successful technicians are awarded SPP certificates.

A federally endangered Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly. Photo by SPP Staff.

Access to College Credit

SPP began awarding college credit for some SPP programs to incarcerated students during incarceration. Using Evergreen’s Prior Learning from Experience model, SPP has awarded 1,326 college credits to 237 students since 2024. College credit is currently available for students for 6 SPP programs. SPP covers the student fee associated with the credit and does not pass any fees on to the student.

 

The education offerings described below focus primarily on ecological conservation programs. For courses focused on environmental education, please see here.

A program participant poses with Ecological Conservation Nursery Manager, Carl Elliot, at a graduation at WSP. Photo by SPP Staff.

Programs Offered by SPP

An adult Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly drinks honeywater from a cotton swab. Photo by Keegan Curry.

Rearing Taylor’s and Breeding Checkerspot Butterflies

The Oregon Zoo started the Taylors checkerspot captive rearing program in 2003. A second facility opened at MCCCW in 2011, expanding capacity. Partners release butterflies at restoration sites across the Salish Sea region. The program is expected to move to WCCW during 2025-26.

Prairie Ecological Conservation Nurseries

SPP supports South Salish lowland prairie restoration through its Ecological Conservation Nursery Program. Funded by CNLM and JBLM, SPP grows native prairie plants used by conservation agencies. These plants provide habitat and food for rare pollinators, including Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, linking plant and butterfly conservation efforts.

SPP’s prairie conservation nursery crew prepares containers for sewing at Washington Corrections Center for Women. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Composting with Bugs

Facilities across the state use a variety of methods to compost food waste. Vermiculture and other smaller composting methods have been tested, documented, and used to reduce food waste and lower prison’s environmental impact.

Incarcerated technicians at MCC poses with the worm bins. Photo by Erica Benoit.

Northwestern Pond Turtle Rehabilitation

The northwestern pond turtle is a state-listed endangered species and one of Washington’s only native turtles. Some wild adults suffer from a treatable shell disease with an unknown cause. Ecological Conservation partners, including WDFW, PAWS, Woodland Park Zoo, and Oregon Zoo, work together to care for and protect these turtles.

In the turtle lab at Cedar Creek Corrections Center, a Marisa pond turtle named Yellow smiles for the camera. Photo by Maris Pushee.

Beekeeping

SPP partners with WASBA to offer 4 levels of beekeeping certification. As of July 2026, over 700 incarcerated individuals have become WASBA-certified beginner beekeepers. These courses are offered by either high level incarcerated beekeepers or volunteer beekeepers.

A class of beekeepers at WSP consult with a professional beekeeper to inspect their hives. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Sagebrush Steppe Ecological Conservation Nurseries

Since 2021, around 200,000 plant plugs were produced, including sagebrush, forbs, and shrubs. Supposed by WDFW and USFW, these plants restore wildfire-impacted public lands in eastern Washington.

The Sagebrush in Prisons Project spans several western states in the Great Basin. These programs exemplify the SPP model and are excellent examples of conservation in prisons beyond Washington State. Photo courtesy of the Institute for Applied Ecology.

Wetland Nursery: Emergent pre-Vegetated Mats (2017-2020)

SPP developed a pilot program to grow wetland plant mats for habitat restoration supporting Oregon spotted frogs and salmon. At SCCC, an unused tilapia facility was converted into an aquaponics system. Koi waste and compost tea provide nutrients for native sedges and rushes, helping restore wetland ecosystems.

Program partners tour one of the greenhouses growing wetland plants for Oregon spotted frog habitat restoration. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Rearing Oregon Spotted Frogs (2009-2015)

In 2009, SPP partnered with the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Group to rear endangered Oregon spotted frogs. Led by Dr. Marc Hayes, incarcerated technicians, corrections staff, and conservation partners worked to restore populations in the Puget Sound region. This became SPP’s first endangered animal conservation program and a pioneering prison initiative.

An Oregon spotted frog reared at Cedar Creek Corrections Center makes a leap into its new habitat. Photo by Cyril Ruoso.