GOLD2023

CALIFORNIA LIVING MUSEUM FOUNDATION (CALM)

Help Us Help Wildlife

aka CALM   |   Bakersfield, CA   |  www.calmzoo.org

Mission

The Foundation was formed to act for the benefit of California Living Museum. CALM primarily serves Kern County; however we receive visitors from throughout California and the nation. CALM exhibits only native California animals that are unreleasable to the wild. CALM also operates the most comprehensive wildlife rehabilitation center in the Southern San Joaquin Vall CALM participates in the Desert Bighorn Sheep cooperative breeding program with Los Angeles and San Diego zoos. CALM houses two very rare California Condors and just opened the California Coast Room, an indoor exhibit featuring an inter-tidal touch tank, moon jellyfish, octopus & seahorses. The Central California Children's Railroad is a 2/3 mile train ride built and operated by community volunteers.

Ruling year info

1996

Chairman

Mr. Russell Bigler

Treasurer

Mr. Steve Sanders

Main address

1300 17TH St

Bakersfield, CA 93301 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

77-0420446

NTEE code info

Zoo, Zoological Society (D50)

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

CALM exists to educate the community about the rich native flea and fauna that exists in Kern County. We work to rehabilitate and release native wildlife and we exhibit only animals that cannot be released to the wild.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

CALM Overview

In 1983, CALM opened to the public and focuses exclusively on native animals and plants. A visit to the 14-acre zoo will give you an encapsulated glimpse of the diversity of our state. Approximately 250 animals reside at CALM and most of them cannot be released into the wild. At CALM, they have a home and purpose: to educate people about the wildlife around them. CALM's residents include mountain lion, black bear, deer, a large reptile house and raptor exhibit, a Children's Park with farmyard animals and many more! Last year, more than 150,000 people (zoo and Holiday Lights visitors) experienced CALM, of which 20,000 children visited on school field trips.

Population(s) Served
Families
Students

Each December, HolidayLights at CALM has amazed and dazzled the public since 2003. The month-long event features 3 million lights and more than 50 displays in a drive-thru format at the zoo. This event is much more than just lights! Added to the event is a full-sized carousel and train which winds through a portion of the displays. Sponsorship and ticket sales have helped with the construction of new exhibits. The event has received national media attention that has promoted HolidayLights as well as the zoo.

Population(s) Served
Families
Adults

The Cats of California Exhibit is arguably CALM's crown jewel and houses two young mountain lions and three bobcats. The three-acre exhibit is specifically utilized to integrate a natural setting, by having several older oak trees and is built on a small hill. Creeks meander through both exhibits; faux rockwork was created to replicate the boulders through the Kern Canyon. Built with the spectator in mind, seven large viewing windows allow guests to get nose-to-nose with the cats. The exhibit was made possible through major contributions financed by the Foundation; however, donations from supporters (ranging from one dollar to $5,000 and ticket sales from HolidayLights) made the biggest difference towards the creation of this exhibit. The Cats of California Exhibit exemplifies the giving nature of our community.

Population(s) Served
Families

CALM's wildlife veterinary clinic was made possible through a matching grant. Injured or ill zoo animals, as well as animals received through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, are cared for in this facility. Included is a commissary, exam/operating room and recovery center. The ability to provide on-site care for these animals dramatically reduces their stress level as well as saving thousands of dollars on veterinary services. Next door is the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where more than 500 orphaned or injured animals are cared for annually until they can be released. The Rehabilitation Center is one of the few that exist in Kern County. CALM is permitted by the the California Dept. of Fish & Game and through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services as a wildlife rehabilitation facility. More than 50 volunteers (adults and youth) play an essential role in assisting with this program which is funded solely through donations.

Population(s) Served
Families

The Big Horn Sheep exhibit is CALM's first cooperative breeding program and is part of a collaboration with the six other institutions in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) population management plan for this rare species. This is a partnership with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Los Angeles Zoo. The animals will establish CALM's breeding stock and eventually CALM's herd while contributing significantly to enhancing the endangered Big Horn Sheep.

Population(s) Served
Families

CALM houses two rare California Condors as part of the Condor Recovery Program.

Population(s) Served
Families

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

AZA Accreditation 2021

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Continue to educate Kern residents about the native plant and animals in our area. Continue to provide hands-on education for school children. Continue to serve the rehabilitation needs of local animals.

Educational field trips for school children, an active docent and volunteer rehab staff program. Ensure the zoo is accessible to all ages and cultures.

36 year history providing education-based programs; Voted "Best Family Attraction" in annual Bakersfield Life poll. CALM's HolidayLights was voted as "Best Annual Event" and the Los Angeles Times just names HolidayLights as one of the top 10 light shows in the Western US.

Served over 20,000 students last year, added new exhibits such as California Condors and California Coast Room. Working to enhance CALM's existing exhibits and infrastructure.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

CALIFORNIA LIVING MUSEUM FOUNDATION (CALM)
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

CALIFORNIA LIVING MUSEUM FOUNDATION (CALM)

Board of directors
as of 08/21/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Russ Bigler

Retired Kern County Superintendent of Schools

Kacy Twist

Chevron

Russ Bigler

Retired Kern County Superintendent of Schools

Randy Grueber

Central California Children's Railroad

Kathryn Mears

University of LaVerne

Stan Eschner

Trio Petroleum

John G. Mendiburu

Kern County Superintendent of Schools

Steve Sanders

Chief of Staff

Kevin Bartl

First 5 Kern

David James

Rabobank

Megan Maitland

CALM

Jeffrey Gutierrez

Dewalt Corp.

Mitchell Coleman

Tejon Ranch Conservancy

Maddie Janssen

KGET TV

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 2/25/2022
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Decline to state
Disability status
Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 02/25/2022

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.