Inmates helping nurture endangered butterflies
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BELFAIR, Wash. -- A fluttering insect is threatening to close a large portion of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
A bunch of the endangered Taylor's checkerspot butterflies live in the artillery firing zone. If the Taylor's checkerspot butterflies make it to the federal endangered species classification, the base may be ordered to stop using up to 1,000 acres of prime target land.
And prison inmates have been scouted to help rear the disappearing butterflies.
Inmate Carolina Landa is learning to raise painted lady butterflies. Once she's ready, she'll take on the endangered specie.
"They're so fragile, but it's amazing to watch them grow," she said.
Landa is an inmate at the Mission Creek Women's Prison in Belfair where the new greenhouse is located.
"We're both getting something from this," she said. "It's a good program in our recovery and rehabilitation as well."
Once the butterflies mate, they produce eggs in a few days, which soon will turn into more butterflies. Researchers hope to produce 2,500 a year to help rebuild the population in a new home away from the military base.
"By that time, I will have accomplished something that's very amazing," Landa said.
A bunch of the endangered Taylor's checkerspot butterflies live in the artillery firing zone. If the Taylor's checkerspot butterflies make it to the federal endangered species classification, the base may be ordered to stop using up to 1,000 acres of prime target land.
And prison inmates have been scouted to help rear the disappearing butterflies.
Inmate Carolina Landa is learning to raise painted lady butterflies. Once she's ready, she'll take on the endangered specie.
"They're so fragile, but it's amazing to watch them grow," she said.
Landa is an inmate at the Mission Creek Women's Prison in Belfair where the new greenhouse is located.
"We're both getting something from this," she said. "It's a good program in our recovery and rehabilitation as well."
Once the butterflies mate, they produce eggs in a few days, which soon will turn into more butterflies. Researchers hope to produce 2,500 a year to help rebuild the population in a new home away from the military base.
"By that time, I will have accomplished something that's very amazing," Landa said.
