Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW)
WCCW is home to the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Program, a Prairie Ecological Conservation Nursery, Beekeeping, and hosts a monthly SPP Workshop Series. Additionally, WCCW has a thriving dog grooming and training program, beautiful gardens, and donates a variety of crafts to community.
A meditation garden at WCCW. Photo by DOC staff.
Facility Highlights
Beekeeping
Program Highlights:
Beekeeping has been relocated inside the fence near recreation to improve access.
Partners:
Washington State Beekeepers Association
Prairie Ecological Conservation Nursery
Program Highlights:
In past year, the crew cultivated ~65,000 prairie plants for habitat restoration, increased seed nursery to produce Viola adunca seed for federally endangered Silverspot butterfly on the Oregon coast; 30 workshops on restoration ecology.
Partners:
CNLM, JBLM, WA DNR, WA Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Zoo, Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship, Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, Friends of Puget Prairies, Wolf Haven International, US Fish and Wildlife and Wolf Haven International
SPP Workshop Series
Program Highlights:
SPP offers a monthly workshop series on various nature, science, art, and culture topics led by community experts.
Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Rearing and Breeding Program
Program Highlights:
WCCW now hosts the Taylors Checkerspot Butterfly Program. 8 technicians support breeding and rearing this federally endangered species.
Partners:
WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Zoo, JBLM, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Community College Horticulture
Program Highlights:
17 students enrolled in Horticulture will earn 55 credits through Tacoma Community College including 3 support classes (English 101, Business Math, and leadership) for full certifications. Horticulture students seeded, grew, harvested and delivered 8300 lbs. of vegetables for prison kitchen.
Partners:
Tacoma Community College, WSU Extension, Pierce County (Master Gardeners)
Electric vehicles
Program Highlights:
Maintain 2 electric vehicles.
Gardens and greenhouses
Program Highlights:
Horticulture has been working with 3 Pierce County Master Gardener (PCMG) volunteers mentoring students in the gardens. These volunteers are also members of the Horticulture Advisory Board. We have partnered with Cedar Creek and Tacoma Tagro as board members. Received a $1,500 grant from PCMG for hydroponic system in the greenhouse.
Partners:
Tacoma Community College, WSU Extension, Pierce County, Olympic College, WSU Extension, Pierce County
Large-scale composting
Program Highlights:
Last year, composted 158+ tons of food waste. Program temporarily suspended for construction, operating for two months before being suspended again due to COVID-19. 14+ tons of compost yielded in two months.
Lighting upgrades
Program Highlights:
Continued replacement of fluorescent T8 lamps with LED lamps facility-wide as lamps burn out. Close to 75% replaced as of December 2020.
Pollinator plantings
Program Highlights:
Hanging baskets, perennial and annual pollinator-friendly flowers throughout facility; horticulture group planted additional ~4,000 flowering plants throughout the grounds.
Prison Pet Partnership
Program Highlights:
This is the first in-prison pet program in the country! In the past year, 32 dogs were trained, 11 companion animals were adopted, 7 service dogs were placed, and 18 incarcerated individuals were employed.
Waste sorting & recycling
Program Highlights:
Diverted 86+ tons of materials from waste stream to recycling. Program temporarily suspended for construction, restarted for two months, and then suspended again for COVID-19. In the two months of operation, 25+ tons of material recycled.
Together, we imagine what’s possible
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education, environmental justice, and rehabilitation in real, tangible ways.
Once a year, SPP reports on all things sustainable happening in Washington State Prisons.