Sagebrush in Prisons

Oregon

SRCI: Snake River Correctional Institution

Growing 57,760 native plants for Sage-grouse and monarch butterfly habitat.

  • SRCI is a multi-security facility located in Ontario, Oregon; it is the largest prison in the state.
  • A team of 5 – 20 inmates in the minimum security facility work on seed sowing, day to day care and planting out the sagebrush.
  • A greenhouse and hoop house was constructed by DOC to grow and house the sagebrush.
  • Institute for Applied Ecology partnered with the Vale BLM field office with the sagebrush project and plant-out.
  • During 2014, SRCI piloted growing and planting 20,000 sagebrush.
  • The project was so successful that in 2015, the prison increased production to 23,000 plants.
  • The SRCI crew grew 40,000 plants in 2016.
  • In 2017 the SRCI crew grew 50,000 sagebrush plants.
  • In 2018 49,240 sagebrush plants were grown at SRCI.
  • In 2019 SRCI grew 57,562 sagebrush and 198 milkweed plants.

Project Photos

WCCF: Warner Creek Correctional Facility

  • WCCF is a minimum security facility located in Lakeview, Oregon. All inmates housed there are scheduled for release within four years.
  • In 2016 the crew at WCCF grew 22,309 sagebrush plants.
  • In 2017 the sagebrush crew at WCCF grew 25,000 plants.
  • In 2018 the WCCF crew grew 22,000 sagebrush plants.
  • In 2019 WCCF grew 30,000 sagebrush, and 3,000 bitterbrush plants for sage-grouse habitat.

Warner Creek Newsletters
WCCF Banana Splits and Hoop House – June 2022

Project Photos

SPP Media Coverage and News Stories in Oregon

05/06/20 Snake River Rapids Newsletter: Sagebrush Sowing at Snake River Correctional Institution // OREGON

Spring 2020: Audubon Magazine: Meet the Inmates Working to Rebuild the Greater Sage-Grouse’s Home // NATIONAL

5/8/2019: Lake County Examiner  “Warner Creek AICs reap what they sow” news article

12/12/18 Lake County Examiner “From Seedlings to Sagebrush: A Year of Success at Warner Creek Correctional Facility” news article

11/9/18 Argus Observer: Rehab for public lands

10/8/18 Argus Observer: Institute for Applied Ecology’s Stacy Moore named to TIAA Difference Maker 100

9/27/17: Argus Observer, “Prison habitat project may see an end” news article

09/10/2017: Argus Observer “Educating Inmates: Lectures ‘bring science and nature’ into prison” news article

11/09/2016: Lake County Examiner “WCC finish up sagebrush work newspaper article” news article

05/25/16: Lake County Examiner “WCCF Inmates plant to make wildlife impact” news article

11/17/2015: Argus Observer “Reseeding efforts begin: Volunteers sought to help collect sagebrush seed” news article

7/1/2015 Argus Observer “Inmates’ sagebrush program more than doubles in 2nd year” news article

11/18/2014: Argus Observer “Inmates plant near Jordan Valley” news article

9/10/2014: Argus Observer “Inmates earn certificates for efforts” news article