Resurrecting butterflies: A tale of hope and survival through conservation efforts

Metamorphosis is both a biological process and a metaphor for the lives of the citizen-scientist inmates of Mission Creek.

Brian Payton reports for Hakai Magazine.

In short:

• Incarcerated women at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women are raising Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, an endangered species, as part of a conservation effort.
• The program, a collaboration with The Evergreen State College and Washington State’s Sustainability in Prisons Project, aims to bolster the dwindling populations of this key species.
• The work provides the women a sense of purpose and connection to the larger environmental restoration effort, highlighting the importance of nurturing and conservation even in unlikely settings.

Key quote: 

“When I told my family what I do, they said, ‘we’re so proud of you, that you are doing something that has such a profound mission in the world.’"

— Brooke, a butterfly technician and inmate

Why this matters: 

The conservation of Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies is vital not only for the survival of a beautiful species but also as a bellwether for the health of our ecosystems. Innovative partnerships and dedicated individuals can make a significant impact on conservation efforts. Insects are in decline. How to avert the insect apocalypse.