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In an attempt to help save the greater sage-grouse bird nearing the endangered species
list that has depleted from 16 million to 200-500,000 today, the Institute of Applied
Ecology (IAE) out of Corvalis has been heading up the Sagebrush in Prisons Project, apart of the Sustainability in Prisons Project.
The environmental partnership with IAE, the Department of Corrections and the Bureauof Land Management (BLM) is focused on redeveloping sagebrush, which the sagegrouse use for every phase of its life.
“They’re considered an iconic species of the landscape,” said IAE’s Program Dir. StacyMoore.
The program is funded by the BLM and has been taking place at Warner Creek
Correctional Facility for the last four years. Down the road the sagebrush is planted by
the local BLM department on wildfire burns to reestablish the wildlife area. So how does
the program with the Adults in Custody (AICs) work?
First, the AICs mix the soil peat with vermiculite and perlite to create a “soil mixture”.
Then they fill conetainers with water and the mixture and carefully insert five minusculesagebrush seeds in each cone. Finally, the AICs cover the conetainers with a plantfabric. In four days, the plants start to germinate and along the way a four-person
sagebrush team water the plants seven days a week. About a month later they fertilize
the sagebrush and then end up transporting the plants to the BLM who carry out thereplanting.
“Sometimes a crew of AICs will go out with the BLM to plant them and that brings theprogram full circle,” said Moore.
The AICs “sow” as the term goes, nearly 32,000 sage and bitter brush plants. One ofthe solidifying reasons behind the sagebrush is the focus on changing the damaged
habitat and bringing down the increase in wildfires due to cheatgrass and theintroduction of other invasive species.
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“I’m very thankful for the BLM’s support for this program,” said Moore. “AICs do quality
work and care about giving back to the community.”
Current AIC Curry is the sagebrush lead. Although he worked on the team last year, hisbackground in a blueberry nursery for 21 years led to his interest in the position.
“The big difference is blueberries need a lot of water,” said Curry. “The sagebrush justneed planted and they find their own.”
Members of the team all seem to feel that the project is important. AIC Julkowski andRichards believe that without the help of the BLM this wouldn’t be possible.
“I’m just happy to work outside,” said Julkowski. “I was in the kitchen before and this ismuch better.”
A place on the team serves as a job for these AICs, but they don’t go into it uninformed.
Ecological Education Coord. Tyler Knapp has taught and brought in speakers to theAICs to inform them of not just sagebrush and its importance, but other projects aswell.
“We really want to educate them on local ecology to know what its for,” said Knapp.
The AICs know they have an important role and as long as they’re incarcerated, theywant to have a purpose.
For more information on the IAE or the project, contact Moore at 541-753-3099 ext.
714.

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