California Living Museum facts for kids
| Date opened | 1983 |
|---|---|
| Location | 10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy Bakersfield, California 93306 |
| Land area | 14 acres (5.7 ha) |
| Coordinates | 35°25′55″N 118°53′10″W / 35.432°N 118.886°W |
| No. of animals | 250 |
| No. of species | 80 |
| Memberships | ZAA |
The California Living Museum, often called CALM, is a special zoo located in Bakersfield, California. It's a place where you can learn all about the amazing plants and animals that naturally live in California, especially those found in Kern County. CALM is officially recognized by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), which means it meets high standards for animal care and education.
Contents
History of CALM: How It Started
CALM first opened its doors in 1983. The main idea behind starting CALM was to create a place where people could learn about California's native wildlife. It also aimed to help injured or orphaned wild animals. Animals that could get better and live on their own were released back into nature. Those that couldn't survive alone found a permanent home at CALM.
To build the museum, many local groups helped by sponsoring different parts of the facility. After three years of hard work, the zoo was ready to welcome visitors.
In 1998, the Kern Superintendent of Schools offices (KCSOS) took over running CALM. This made the zoo and its gardens an official school site. Today, CALM teaches over 13,000 school children from Kern County each year through programs held at the zoo. They also visit classrooms and community events to share their knowledge.
CALM received its special accreditation from the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) in 2010. This shows their dedication to excellent animal care and education.
What You Can See at CALM: Animals and Plants
CALM covers 14 acres and is home to many different plants and animals from around Kern County. The museum's goal is to show and explain California's native animals, plants, fossils, and old artifacts. They want to teach everyone to respect all living things through learning, fun, protecting nature, and research.
Meet the Animals at CALM
CALM's zoo features over 80 different kinds of animals. These animals are special because they are "medically unreleasable." This means they were either injured or can't survive in the wild on their own. CALM gives them a safe and caring home. You might even see some endangered species here!
Some of the cool animal exhibits include:
- An open area for black bears.
- The "Cats of California" exhibit, where you can see mountain lions and bobcats.
- A "Bird of Prey" exhibit, featuring powerful birds like hawks, owls, and eagles.
- A "mammal round" that houses different kinds of foxes.
- A waterfowl pond, which is a home for resident mallard ducks and a stop for migrating birds.
- A yard for deer.
- An underground reptile house, where you can see snakes and other reptiles.
- A "contact area" where you can interact with friendly domestic animals.
Explore the DiGiorgio Education Center
When you first arrive at CALM, you'll visit the DiGiorgio Education Center. This building has a gift shop where you can find souvenirs. It also has a reading library and special "children's discovery rooms." These rooms have fun, hands-on activities that change regularly, so there's always something new to explore.
Helping Injured Wildlife
CALM is also a special facility that helps injured wildlife. They have trained staff who care for these animals. The main goal is always to help the animals get well enough to go back to their natural homes. Each year, CALM helps about 300 to 500 injured or orphaned animals get better.
Discover California's Plant Life
Besides animals, CALM also has several plant communities. These areas are designed to look like different natural environments found in Kern County, from the mountains to the Mojave Desert.
You can take walks through areas like:
- "Trees of California," which shows off trees found in the western and eastern mountain ranges.
- The "riparian" area, a small copy of the Kern River as it flows from the mountains to the valley.
- A "desert community," which looks just like the eastern desert.
HolidayLights at CALM
During the Christmas season, from November 28 to December 30, CALM hosts a special event called "HolidayLights at CALM." The zoo is decorated with millions of sparkling lights! These lights create scenes of animals and famous Kern County landscapes. Some displays even flash to music, while others show off native animals in bright lights. Each year, more and more scenes are added, making the display even more amazing!
