Science Behind Bars

In the Pacific Northwest, people are stripping moss for the horticultural trade at such an alarming rate that it's now illegal to harvest it. Ecologist Nalini Nadkarni knows that moss is a key component to the eco-system of the region, which makes it important to study. But this globe-trotting scientist at The Evergreen State College needed a lot of help recording research data from some folks who have much more time than she does. Where better to find potential research assistants with lots of time on their hands than the nearby medium security Cedar Creek Corrections Center? With support from the National Science Foundation, Nadkarni's idea has been so successful that now the prisoners are starting bee keeping and composting programs, in addition to growing and recording data about moss.