Project Overview

Reports

Commodities

Target Pests

Practices

This is an Outreach and Implementation project that will focus on an underserved community (an incarcerated population) located at the newly built Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF) surrounded by rural, remote, wetland habitats near the Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah. The new USCF became operational in July 2022 and with the opening of the facility issues and concerns regarding mosquitoes became apparent. The local mosquito populations are a nuisance and health concern to inmates and correctional staff, who lack the proper preventive and protection measures at that location.

Through this project, the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) aims to increase the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), primarily targeting mosquitoes, yet also aiding in reduction of other biting insects, in the prison facility by educating inmates and correctional staff in IPM. An educational program within the USCF will be created to educate inmates and staff about mosquitoes, mosquito-borne pathogens, IPM, and the wetland habitats surrounding the prison. As part of the education and implementation of IPM practices, a fish rearing program for the biological control of mosquitoes around the USCF will be implemented using the least chub, Iotichthys phlegethontis, a small, native fish species, endemic only to Utah. Vocational skills and supplemental training will be given to inmates through this education project to attempt to increase future career opportunities post-release.

Additionally, the final objective of this project is to share the outcomes and resources developed at this facility so other institutions have the opportunity to improve on, refine, and apply the lessons learned to their agencies. Our ultimate plan is to develop an IPM Best Management Practices (BMP) that can be used nationally at other locations with similar problems.

1. The primary objective of the proposed project is to increase awareness and adoption of IPM among the newly operational USCF with USCF inmates and staff.
   1. This objective will include educating and training USCF inmates and staff on IPM.
   2. SLCMAD has had discussions with USCF staff about recommendations to manage mosquito populations previously. Through this proposed project, the USCF and SLCMAD will put into action many of these recommendations while also refining them.
   3. Additionally, this objective will include introducing inmates and staff to rearing the least chub, a native fish species to Utah. The least chub will be used as a biological control agent against mosquitoes and begin the initial stages of a fish rearing program at the new USCF.
   4. Conservation of a sensitive fish species, endemic only to Utah, will also be completed through the use of the least chub in this project instead of an invasive fish species (mosquito fish) which is a better IPM practice.

2. The second objective is to develop vocational skills of inmates through this project.
   1. The project will attempt to supplement and provide experience and knowledge to inmates with vocational and technical skills that will transfer to future career opportunities once released.
   2. This will increase individuals with capabilities to conduct and provide IPM, with opportunities to obtain their own pesticide licenses.
   3. Using the least chub as a biological control agent also exposes inmates to science and IPM, therefore training and educating them on other science-based fields, fostering a further opportunity for success in placement of a job or continued education.

3. The third objective of the proposed project is to share the outcomes and resources developed from this project with others.
   1. This will allow those within and outside of SLC, Utah, and the Western region to apply, build on, and improve what was designed and learned throughout this project to add to or better fit with their own organization.
   2. The IPM, biological, and environmental component of this project is applicable to many other facilities that house individuals and can provide a stronger sense of connection to nature, while encouraging increased awareness and adoption of IPM practices.