Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC)
Hosts one of Washington State’s most extensive Sustainability in Prisons Project programs, integrating environmental stewardship with vocational training and community service. The facility features large-scale gardens—including a unique Diversity Garden—pollinator habitat, beekeeping, composting, and waste sorting that dramatically reduce waste and produce fresh food for kitchens and donation. Incarcerated technicians refurbish computers for schools, train service dogs, and create valuable compost and firewood for local partners. AHCC also supports innovative practices like worm farming.

Program Partners Highlights
Nature Imagery
Program Highlights:
Incarcerated individuals in maximum security can opt to watch nature imagery; also offered by mental health staff during times of mental distress
Partners:
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Nature Imagery
Program Highlights:
Incarcerated individuals in maximum security can opt to watch nature imagery; also offered by mental health staff during times of mental distress
Partners:
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Beekeeping
Highlights – December 2024
In 2024, 3 healthy hives taken care of by incarcerated journeyman level beekeepers
Partners:
Diversity Garden
Highlights – December 2024
Rows of native herbs (lavender, sage, and sweet grass) blessed by local Native American elder to be used in Native American spiritual services
Partners:
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Gardens: Minimum
Program Highlights:
Grew and donated over 600 pumpkins to the community
Partners:
Flower gardens
Program Highlights:
Throughout the prison for human and wildlife well-being
Partners:
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Gardens: Main
Program Highlights:
5,911 pounds of produce was grown and used in the facility’s kitchen or donated
Partners:
Pollinator forage & habitat
Program Highlights:
Pollinator-friendly plantings throughout the main & minimum areas: flowers, herbs, pussy willow. Large woody debris (log!) and shrubby habitat in pond area
Partners:
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Sustainable Business Solutions
Highlights – December 2024
Team of four supporting sustainability programs with data tracking and mapping (produce grown, # from garden to kitchen, soil types)
Partners:
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Large-scale composting
Program Highlights:
In 2024, AHCC increased the size of their composting piles and created around 40 cubic yards of compost to use within the facility.
Partners:
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Waste sorting & recycling
Program Highlights:
Technicians receive comprehensive on-the-job training provided by DOC staff. AHCC’s
Partners:
Worm farm: Minimum
Highlights – December 2024
In AHCC’s greenhouse’s main garden, they use worm composting to manage waste. In 2024, they composted 1,800 pounds of food waste from the kitchen. Additionally, they produced 700 gallons of worm tea, which they used to provide nutrition to all the gardens at AHCC. Currently, they have two large worm bins, each with two sides.
Partners:


Computers 4 Kids
Program Highlights:
Refurbished 24,843 PCs, laptops, and monitors in 2024, plus 13,544 to surplus. Technicians refurbished an additional 1,932 pieces of equipment were donated to local schools. Incarcerated technicians learn basic diagnostics and can test for certification, plus learn office skills (Excel, Access) and shipping skills (e.g., forklift experience).
Partners:
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, WA Department of Enterprise Services
Pawsitive dog training – prison program
Program Highlights:
This program restarted in 2024. Since then, they have graduated 13 dogs from two sessions and more to come!
Partners:
Diamonds in the Ruff, SpokAnimal, Spokane Humane Society
Firewood donation
Highlights – December 2024
Crews prepared approximately 200 cords to deliver to SNAP clients in 2024. DNR provides wildland fire trainings and prison staff provide firewood and chipper trainingsIn 2024, 3 healthy hives taken care of by incarcerated journeyman level beekeepers
Partners:

“What does science mean to me? Science is the study of the world around us… I would not want to experience life without science.”
Morris Talaga
Program Participant

Stories & Reflections
We design and deliver hands-on programs that connect environmental education.

“I never did well in school and my skills were more on the manual labor side. While I was incarcerated at Cedar Creek Correction Center in 2015 thru…”
Darin Armstrong
Former SPP conservation technician

Together, We Reimagine
What’s Possible
Sustainability thrives on community. Be part of a unique collaboration that bridges
education, environmental justice, and rehabilitation in real, tangible ways.

