BEST OF HALL OF FAME: CALM is where the wild things (and we) are

Ask anyone about California Living Museum and you're bound to get a smile. Whether those good feelings are evoked from memories of a school field trip or taking the kids to see the animals or the anticipation of the magic from HolidayLights, CALM has a special place in many residents' hearts.

It is so beloved that it consistently makes the favorites list — if not the No. 1 spot — for three Best of categories: best kid/family entertainment, best museum/art gallery and best nonprofit event.

Steve Sanders, chief of staff at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, which oversees the zoo, said he understands the appeal.

"It's one of the best family-friendly places we have (in Kern County). People like to get out of the house and enjoy nature there. When my girls were born back in the early '90s, we’d go just to get out of the house and spend a few hours.

"It never gets old. People get attached to the animals. People love the train. It's all California native animals, which is unique."

CALM director Meg Maitland, who also brings her son to the zoo for outings, said she even sees some third-generation visitors.

"We have grandparents who say, 'I remember this when I was a kid and now I'm bringing my grandbaby.' It's great to see that tradition come through."

More than 25,000 students come through the zoo each year on field trips, Maitland said, and total annual attendance is over 100,000 people.

CALM began in 1980 as a nonprofit thanks to schoolteacher Mike Hopkins, who partnered with veterinarian Tom Banks and architect Frank Ghezzi to obtain the land and, with the aid of other founding members and $100,000, built the zoo that opened in 1983 with 100 animals.

Now more than 200 animals call CALM home including bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, kit foxes, porcupines, opossum, a menagerie of reptiles and shorebirds and the friendly residents of the children's zoo.

Maitland said they're wrapping up an expansion of the area where children can get up close and pet animals including three new sheep.

That includes Echo, a Dorper lamb, and new companions Charlie and Delta, said Graff, CALM's volunteer and community engagement facilitator.

"The blind lamb Echo, her mom had rejected her as a newborn," Graff said. "We had to hand-feed her. Then we sourced out Babydoll sheep, Charlie and Delta."

Graff said she has her dream job: "For me, every element of what I get to do I love. I get to work with our community, our students and volunteers and our vet staff."

Part of her work has included promoting existing events — including HolidayLights (celebrating 22 years this December), Boo at the Zoo, Spring Fling, Ice Cream Zoofari and the CALM Birthday Bash (coming this month) — as well as developing new campaigns.

The Roaches or Roses? fundraiser was timed to Valentine's Day, allowing those who donated $5 a chance to dedicate a rose or roach in someone's name, which would then be fed to an animal in on-site and social media presentations.

Last June's Breakfast with the Bears allowed guests early entrance to enjoy doughnuts and a beverage while watching black bears Cinnamon and Louie consume their own meal.

"The campaign that we did for our bears last year was wildly successful. It raised funds specifically for enrichment elements for our animals.

"Expect to see more of that in the coming years. We like to get the community involved."

Maitland said she is excited to see the facility grow into more evening events.

Last month's CALM Jamboree, a popular night gathering now in its third year, sold out in advance again.

There have also been movie nights and other private events set up in the main campus and at The Willows, the on-site event venue that opened last August.

"It's a beautiful spot to just breathe in," Maitland said. "You can see the sky out here at night and it’s stunning — hear the frogs croak, see wildlife out and about."

And more growth is on the horizon.

A 15- to 20-year master plan is underway to transform the land under CALM ownership with different spaces for residents, including a 40-acre expansion westward and adjustments to the 14-acre legacy campus.

Mailtand said it's currently a matter of putting "paper to reality" on the $140 million plan.

"Our board is working collectively to see what we can do to make it happen," she said.

Sanders joked, "Now we just need to find a member of the community with way too much money on their hands so we can build it."

In the meantime, CALM continues to entertain and educate the public including working with local partners Camp Okihi, Hart Park Nature Center, Kern River Parkway Foundation and the Panorama Preserve.

A current program about nature education is in progress thanks to a state grant, Sanders said.

"We're doing it in partnership with Children First, taking families from east Bakersfield not only to CALM but the preserve. This summer there will be an overnight trip to a state park. For kids, we want to give them an opportunity to get out into nature, learn about what's right there in their backyard."