Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC)
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
Beekeeping
December 2025 highlights
Cared for 3 hives that overwintered from 2024-2025 and this program continues to graduate new Beginner and Apprentice level beekeepers. To date, AHCC has certified more than 73 beekeepers overall.
Partners:
Beekeeping McNeil Island
December 2025 highlights
The McNeil Island Beekeeping Project ended in 2025
Partners:
Community work
December 2025 highlights
Community crews work in the community assisting and fulfilling contracts with our community partners. This work includes brush removal/tree trimming/grounds maintenance/Rubbish removal/painting/ routine maintenance of fences and Commented [DW2]: This isn’t mentioned on the report anymore. structures/painting/mowing of fields/cleaning restrooms etc..
Partners:
Construction
December 2025 highlights
Construction crews built and delivered 2 bus stop shelters, and several picnic tables for the children’s hospital. They also built a fundraising donation box for the women’s shelter.
Partners:
Flower gardens
December 2025 highlights
Pollinator-friendly and decorative plants have been planted around the facility by the gardeners to brighten up walkways. Gardeners have also been putting plants in staff areas and the Therapeutic Community Dayrooms
Forestry
December 2025 highlights
Off-site crews are trained in and practice re- forestation, woodcutting, land clearing, and forest firefighting and fire prevention. Crews were dispatched to numerous fire projects and local wildfires, receiving recognition and appreciation from community members for their efforts
Partners:
Large-scale composting
December 2025 highlights
~150 tons of organic matter diverted to composting
Training dogs for veterans
December 2025 highlights
Program is currently undergoing a change in partners and will be working with Motley Zoo soo
Partners
Vegetable gardens
December 2025 highlights
~10,000 ft2 of gardens yielded ~4,100 lbs. of produce in 2025 that was used in the kitchen and for family, religious, and Heritage events held at the facility. Out of the 4,122 pounds grown, 1,879 pounds were donated to food banks.
Partners:
Waste sorting & recycling
December 2025 highlights
CCCC strives to recycle all metals from facility operations and reuse cardboard pallet slips as weed deterrents in the garden
Waste water treatment
December 2025 highlights
The Wastewater Treatment Plant team continues to exceed operational expectations. This program also employs up to four individuals and allows for certification in Wastewater Treatment
Partners:
Water use reduction and catchment
December 2025 highlights
Catchment capacity: 45,000 gallons; replaced concrete and gravel around the wood shop with grass to reduce water run off. Commented [DW2]: This isn’t mentioned on the report anymore
Western Pond Turtle Rehabilitation Program
December 2025 highlights
Incarcerated individuals are trained to care for western pond turtles who are suffering from shell disease. After training, technicians provide daily care until turtles have recovered. Currently, CCCC is caring for 22 turtles with a release date set in April 2026. To date, more than 120 have been treated and released.
Partners:
Woodpecker nest predation study
December 2025 highlights
This project successfully concluded in August 2020
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.
