Nature's Educators recently partnered with the Florence United States Penitentiary (a high security facility) to offer a new Wildlife Education and Public Speaking program inside the prison. A first of its kind, when the program was offered, so many inmates showed interest there was a huge waiting list! Many of the participants had not had the experience of observing, touching, interacting with animals and animal artifacts at all, or in many years.

Not only did each inmate get the chance to interact with various animals and even learn to handle a few (rabbit, snake, and tortoise) they had the opportunity to learn why research and conservation are important, and build public speaking skills that they can add to their resume. Every inmate successfully completed the program and will be able to add their new skills and a Certificate of Completion to their resume to help them become competitive candidates in the workforce.

Nature's Educators is planning to continue its partnership with Florence USP and other prisons are now reaching out to environmental education programs to get involved in similar programming.