Ecologists in prisons: Scientists, inmates, and other underserved audiences create synergistic public engagement

A challenging ecological problem – the unsustainable harvesting of moss from old-growth forests for florists – led me to engage incarcerated men to learn how to “farm” moss. Prison staff and I then organized a science lecture series, which inspired prisoners to carry out gardening, bee-keeping, and recycling behind bars. We now collaborate with conservation partners to rear endangered frogs, butterflies, and prairie plants for restoration. This approach in Washington and other states demonstrates that such underserved audiences are excellent partners in sustainability and conservation, and that ecologists can and should engage partners well outside academia for synergistic public engagement.