Tag Archives: US Fish & Wildlife Service

Understanding Impact: Department of Corrections Staff Tour Joint Base Lewis-McChord Prairie

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in Conservation Programs Ecological Restoration Partners Tours

At the end of May, a group of SPP and Department of Corrections (DOC) staff got the chance to tour one of the prairies that is supported by the SPP Conservation Nursery programs and the SPP Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Program. The restored prairie site is located on the federally owned land of Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). 

From left to right: Gina Smith (JBLM Fish & Wildlife), Mikala Waldrup (SPP), Sonja Alley (DOC), Maria Hall (DOC), and Mariana Cervantes (SPP) 

Prior to colonization, Washington prairies were maintained by indigenous groups through harvesting and cultural burning. Once prevalent in the region, prairies are now considered one of Washington’s rarest ecosystems. This ecosystem has been reduced to less than 3% of its original area due to development and natural resource demand. Populations of animals that rely on the prairies, like the endangered Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly, have dwindled as well. 

Around 90% of the remaining prairie ecosystems in the South Puget Sound are located at JBLM, where less development and periodic burns have allowed prairies to persist1. These ecosystems are considered critical habitat for Taylor’s Checkerspot butterflies and must be maintained for their survival. 

SPP staff and Gina Smith (JBLM Fish & Wildlife) step off the path in an area unlikely to have Taylor’s checkerspot eggs. Many plants in this area were likely grown by SPP’s Conservation Nursery Programs. Photo by Anneke Wilder.

On the tour, JBLM Fish and Wildlife ecologists shared their passion and knowledge of the prairie ecosystem with DOC and SPP staff. The ecologists talked about the history of the site and the work that has been done to restore habitat for the butterflies. This work includes outplanting of plugs and seeds that were grown and harvested at prison facilities, as well as releases of butterflies reared by incarcerated butterfly technicians. They stressed that none of this work would be successful without the partnership between SPP, DOC, and USFWS. 

“I will never look at a prairie the same after listening to the information shared on the intricacies of each aspect of conservation work and what is needed for a healthy prairie to support the butterflies. Observing the passion of the others on the tour was inspiring!” – Kari Figueira (DOC)

From left to right: Death camas (Zigadenus venenosus), Harsh paintbrush (Castilleja hispida) and Lupine (Lupinus sp.) Photos by Anneke Wilder.

Many prairie plants were in bloom, including lupine (Lupinus sp.), balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittate), death camas (Zigadenus venenosus), and paintbrush (Castilleja sp.). In many areas, visitors had to take care not to step off the main path, as eggs from the butterflies could be damaged by foot traffic. These rare opportunities to connect with the work and understand the impact of SPP programs are beneficial for all involved in the partnership. 

“The experience was a full circle moment, as DOC often does not see what is beyond the fence and the positive impact that is made by initiatives with SPP. I appreciate the opportunity to walk and learn about the checkerspot in their environment with such knowledgeable experts in the area of conservation.” – Sonja Alley (DOC)

DOC staff tour the prairie accompanied by JBLM Fish and Wildlife ecologists. Photo by Anneke Wilder.

Nat Kelly (left, SPP) and Mariana Cervantes (right, SPP) are both Conservation Nursery Coordinators. Photo by Anneke Wilder.

1USFWS, 2025, https://www.fws.gov/project/joint-base-lewis-mcchord-sentinel-landscape

Collaboration is Key

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in Biology collaboration Conservation Programs Ecological Restoration Education Nature inside Partners Science

By Amanda Mintz, SPP Wetland Conservation (EVM) Program Coordinator
All photos by Ricky Osborne.

The Emergent Vegetated Mats (EVM) program at Stafford Creek Corrections Center emerged from a partnership among many stakeholders: Joint Base Lewis McChord, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Center for Natural Lands Management, and SPP’s founding partners The Evergreen State College and Washington State Department of Corrections. On March 29th, representatives from all these organizations came together to tour the EVM nursery. We also had the chance to see other sustainability programs at work at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Chris Idso and Kelly Peterson, DOC personnel on the leadership team at Stafford Creek, helped coordinate and facilitate the tour, and we were joined by our project liaisons Mike Granato and Ed Baldwin. It was the first visit to both the EVM nursery and a prison facility for many of our partners.

Partners view the systems inside the EVM greenhouse. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

We started in the EVM greenhouse, where we discussed past mat production and future production potential. Last year, we produced and installed more than 100 mats at south Puget Sound restoration sites! The technicians described how the system works, and we all stopped to marvel at the fish—about 130 koi provide most of the nutrients absorbed by the wetland mats.

Not just beautiful, koi are hardy fish adaptable to unexpected changes in water chemistry; this makes them perfect for an aquaponics system. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Technician Brian Bedilion, who has worked for the EVM program since its inception in 2016, explained how working for SPP has impacted his self-confidence and goals for his future. His creativity and ability to troubleshoot on-the-fly have been integral to the success of the EVM program. Brian went home on April 13; we wish him the best, and hope to see him in the field!

Technician Brian Bedilion shares how the EVM program has influenced his life. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

SPP EVM Coordinator Amanda Mintz and Brian Bedilion say farewell at the end of the EMV portion of the tour. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

After touring the EVM greenhouse, we went inside the fence to see the prairie conservation nursery, gardens, and other sustainability programs hosted by Stafford Creek. Every living area has dedicated garden space for its residents. A larger space outside the education building is intended for men serving life sentences, and is known as the Lifer Garden. The Lifer Garden and one other at Stafford Creek grow produce for local food banks. Last year, incarcerated individuals at the prison grew and donated almost 12,000 pounds of produce!

With help from Grounds Maintenance Supervisor and SPP Conservation Nursery Liaison Ed Baldwin, the Lifer Garden is designed, built and maintained by individuals serving life sentences. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Ed Baldwin and a technician talk outside the Prairie Conservation Nursery greenhouses. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

The prison’s grounds crew produces plants for the prison gardens, and also cultivates plants for SPP’s Prairie Conservation Nursery. Here, a technician demonstrates propagation by cutting. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Chris Idso, left, is the longest-term champion of sustainability programs at Stafford Creek, and he’s got a good sense of humor. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

The tour ended with visits to the shop areas, where partners saw bicycle and wheelchair repair. Like all the other programs we saw at Stafford Creek, these programs bring together partners to create something of value for the benefit of our environment and our communities.