Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Conservation Program Expands Amid Prison Facility Transition
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A conservation program rearing endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies within Washington state prisons continues its work, with technicians being transitioned to a new facility. The program has raised and released 80,000 caterpillars since its early years and provides educational opportunities for incarcerated participants. The Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) model, which includes this and other conservation activities, has been consulted by 37 states and multiple countries.
Facts First
- The Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly has lost 97 percent of its habitat due to development, agriculture, and invasive species.
- A prison-based rearing program has helped raise and release 80,000 caterpillars into restored prairie habitats.
- Every prison in Washington state has an SPP program, including beekeeping, native gardening, and raising other endangered species.
- Participants can earn college credits in ecology and animal husbandry through a partnership with The Evergreen State College.
- Technicians are being transitioned to a new conservation team at the Washington Corrections Center for Women due to the closure of the Mission Creek facility.
What Happened
The Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) coordinates a captive rearing program for the endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly. Incarcerated technicians, like Margaret Taggart who began training in January 2025, raise butterflies individually on host plants to prevent disease and preserve genetic diversity. The program has helped raise and release 80,000 caterpillars into restored prairie habitats. Due to the closure of the Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCV), technicians are being transitioned to new infrastructure at the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW), where they will join a native plant conservation nursery team.
Why this Matters to You
This program represents a tangible effort to restore a native species that has lost most of its habitat, which may contribute to broader ecosystem health. If you are concerned about conservation, this model demonstrates a replicable approach that combines species recovery with social benefit. The educational component, which allows participants to earn college credits, is supported by data showing that access to education is linked to a lower likelihood of recidivism, which could contribute to long-term community safety.
What's Next
The transition of butterfly technicians to the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) is underway, where they will form a new conservation team with existing nursery staff. The SPP model may continue to be adopted elsewhere, as 37 states and multiple countries have already consulted with the project. The program’s partnerships with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and The Evergreen State College are likely to continue supporting both conservation and educational goals.