Since 2015, the Conservancy has partnered with the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution to bring meaningful, hands-on conservation work to the Conservancy properties through the correctional institution's Project Crew. “The six to eight member crew can get a lot of work done in an eight-hour day,” said Andrea Mumm, Project Crew sergeant. “They take pride in their work.” Staffed by inmates from Prairie du Chien correctional facility, the persons in their care (PIOCs) form the body of the crew.
The Project Crew is a unique initiative designed to equip PIOCs with valuable job skills and solid work habits needed for successful reintegration into society. The program emphasizes rehabilitation not only through skill-building but also by fostering positive connections between participants and community organizations. “The Project Crew aims to teach skills, encourage responsibility, and prepare PIOCs for a fresh start,” explains Andrea. “It’s about giving people the chance to contribute to their community while building a foundation for their future.”
In a typical workday, such as clearing fire breaks at Sugar Creek Bluff Natural Area, crew members complete a variety of nature conservation tasks using chainsaws, shovels, and loppers that benefit local ecosystems while providing participants with experiences they might never have otherwise. “Working with the Prairie du Chien Corrections crew over the last 10 years has had an enormous impact on the Conservancy,” Land Manager Levi Plath said. “We’ve been able to complete projects at our nature preserves that would not have been possible without their help. Some crew members are new and some stay the same, but the work ethic that the crew members bring into the field and the stories and experiences that they take with them provide a path forward.”
Members of the crew regularly express gratitude for the opportunity to learn new skills and work in environments far removed from their daily routines. Many take pride that their contributions have a lasting, positive impact on the community. For some, these projects provide a rare sense of purpose and accomplishment.
The feedback from participants underscores how transformative the program can be. A number of PIOCs had never set foot on a nature preserve before working with the Conservancy, let alone operate tools such as chainsaws. They approach these experiences with curiosity and determination, gaining confidence with each task completed. According to Andrea, even the rides back to the institution are filled with positive conversation—a testament to the program’s morale-boosting effect. “The opportunity for crew members to gain experience at organizations like the Conservancy has had a profound and transformative impact,” Andrea notes. “The knowledge and confidence they gain here will serve them well in their post-incarceration journey.”
The benefits of the program extend beyond work completed at each site. Skills learned through these placements—whether they involve land stewardship, teamwork, or equipment operation—translate into improved employability upon release. Participants also develop habits of reliability, communication, and problem-solving that are invaluable in any career.
"The success of this program is a powerful reminder that we accomplish more when we work together,” shared Carol Abrahamzon, executive director of the Conservancy. “By combining the Conservancy’s mission with the dedication of the Prairie du Chien Project Crew, we’re restoring the land and offering people a path to new opportunities. That’s conservation at its best—neighbors, partners, and communities pulling together for a brighter future."
The partnership between the Conservancy and the Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution demonstrates the power of collaboration. Prairie restoration, invasive species control, and trail maintenance are examples of much-needed and never-ending work that these natural areas need every year. The Conservancy gains the sought-after labor of an experienced work crew, and the members have interesting in-the-field tasks to devote themselves to completing. Each day spent in the field is more than just a work assignment—it’s an investment in their future, a step toward rebuilding their lives, and one more way to restore and rebuild the ecosystems for both wildlife and people alike.