Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW)
| Program | Program Partners | Highlights as of December 2024 |
| Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly program | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Oregon Zoo | Program continues to set records: ~2,700 caterpillars were released in March; Technicians can now earn free college credit for this program. |
| Beekeeping | West Sound Beekeepers Association, Washington State Beekeepers Association | 2 hives were tended to in 2024 |
| GRACE (Gardening for Restoration and Conservation Education) Project | Kitsap Conservation District, Central Kitsap Foodbank | Planning to restart in 2024 or 2025. |
| Vegetable gardens | 340 pounds of produce used in the facility kitchen in 2023 | |
| Flower gardens | Flower gardens for every living unit; continued cultivation of existing flower beds, front area revamped with increased use of pollinator-friendly wildflowers | |
| Chickens | Chicken tenders participate in chicken education, 3 chickens are trained and walked on harnesses throughout the facility. Chickens are part of the composting program. | |
| Conservation crews | Kitsap Conservation District, Great Peninsula Conservancy, Jefferson Land Trust, WSDOT, WDFW, Suquamish Tribe Fisheries. | Program temporarily suspended due to COVID-19; planting project, invasive weed removal, creek and estuary flood control. |
| Small-scale composting | Revisiting composting on site with the support of WCC. | |
| Waste sorting & recycling | Nearly 26,400 lbs of cardboard to recycling in past year | |
| Water use reduction & catchment | 30,000 gallons catchment in ponds; low water use per person, 68 gallons/incarcerated resident/day in past year | |
| Pawsitive Prison Project | Kitsap Humane Society | Over 200 cats and 20 dogs were adopted out in 2023. 24 cats were fostered and most returned to their homes. |
| Plant and animal habitat | 20 bird boxes, 2 bird feeders | |
| House plants | All living units have houseplants and numerous staff have plants in offices |
Articles about MCCCW
2019
Amazing GRACE: Garden Grows Vegetables, Hope
2018
Susan Christopher reflects on her experience raising endangered butterflies in prison
Gardening for a good cause in Kitsap County
Mission Creek butterfly technicians visit Taylor’s checkerspot habitat
Astrobiology for the Incarcerated – Washington
2017
Celebrating another flight season for butterfly technicians
Building the pool of environmental instructors for the women’s prisons
Taylor’s checkerspot wake up and release
2016
Healing people and the environment
Mission Creek Checkerspot Spotlight
2015
The Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Program Releases Another Butterfly
Roots of Success Marathon Instructor Training, Part Two: Day Four
Flight of the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterflies
More Food for the Very Hunger Caterpillars at MCCCW
Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Rearing
Roots of Success Marathon Instructor Training, Part Two: Day Four
Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Rearing
More Food for the Very Hungry Caterpillars at MCCCW
2014
The Butterflies Get Their Own Computer
SPP Says Goodbye and Best Wishes to Dedicated Butterfly Technician
2013
Butterflies from MCCCW released with the help of Attorney General’s office attorneys
Another successful rearing season for the Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies at Mission Creek
High diapause survival and a successful release for the butterfly program at MCCCW
2012
Butterfly Techs at Mission Creek Helping with the Evergreen Environmental Observation Network
SPP Butterfly Internship Experience
Celebrating a Successful Inaugural Season for the Butterfly Program at Mission Creek
Newly arrived Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies thriving at MCCCW
2011
Inmate Technicians Attend Annual Species Recovery Conferences
Butterfly Rearing Commences at Mission Creek
SPP Launches New Conservation Program at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women