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Kern County Office of Education presents CALM Zoo master plan, seeks long-term funding and phased expansion
Summary
Staff presented a master plan to expand CALM Zoo from roughly 14 developed acres toward a 60-acre legacy campus with new habitats, education hubs and an expanded wildlife rehabilitation center; trustees were asked to support outreach and long-term fundraising.
Kern County Office of Education staff on Wednesday outlined a multi-decade master plan to expand the CALM (California Living Museum) Zoo, including new entry and education facilities, expanded wildlife rehabilitation capacity, walk-in aviaries and native-species habitats.
Steve Sanders, chief of staff, told the board the plan focuses on preserving California native species, improving visitor amenities and boosting education and rehabilitation services. Sanders said the county controls about 60 acres at the CALM site, of which roughly 14 acres are currently developed, and that the proposal calls for a phased build-out over about 20 years.
Phase 1 would prioritize a redesigned entry plaza, a dedicated education hub, improved parking and expanded rescue and operations facilities to serve more rehabilitative cases and to separate public access from animal-care operations. Later phases described in renderings include "Wolf Ridge" and larger hoofstock meadows for species such as tule elk, walk-through flight aviaries designed for greater bird flight, flex habitats that let animals rotate between enclosures, and an events pavilion.
Sanders described the zoo as an educational resource: CALM has a wildlife care clinic on site with full-time veterinary staff, partners with the Endangered Species Recovery Program and treats oiled wildlife. The zoo hosts about 25,000 schoolchildren annually and recorded roughly 70,000 visitors for its holiday lights program last year, Sanders said. The site also generates revenue from events at "The Willows," an on-site event center completed by the county to support CALM operations.
Trustees asked operational questions about current bird-rehabilitation capacity and partner organizations; Sanders said new flight cages and partnerships with private rehabilitators are expected to restore and expand those services. Board members discussed fundraising and noted similar expansion models used by other regional zoos; Sanders said staff are studying Fresno's model and pursuing a mix of donations, grants and earned revenue.
No board action was required. Sanders asked trustees and the public to visit CALM, consider membership and spread the word as staff continue master-plan outreach and fundraising.
