Our View: Vote YES on Measure Z: Invest in CALM, a community treasure

13 Sep 2026, 01:14 · The Fresno Bee

A much beloved and valued Kern County education, environmental research and entertainment institution needs a little bit of our help.

And that's really all the California Living Museum zoo wants. Just a little bit - one penny for every $8 we spend.

After 32,500 Kern County citizens signed petitions in support, Measure Z was placed on the November ballot to raise money to maintain and expand the CALM zoo in northeast Bakersfield.

Measure Z proposes to increase the local sales tax only one-eighth of a percent - the equivalent of just a penny for every $8 we spend.

For all CALM contributes to local education, environmental research and entertainment resources, as well as improving the overall quality of our lives, it is a very small amount to pay.

Dedicated exclusively to California's native species, CALM is home to more than 200 non-releasable animals, representing more than 80 California native species. It rehabilitates injured animals and provides lifelong care for animals that cannot return to the wild. Among the animals that have been housed at CALM are California condors, black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, desert bighorn sheep, birds of prey and reptiles.

The zoo annually welcomes more than 100,000 visitors and accommodates more than 25,000 local students on field trips, and is involved in hands-on learning and STEAM programs.

Measure Z is expected to generate $24 million annually that can be used exclusively to maintain and improve the CALM zoo.

According to proponents, the money would be used to repair infrastructure first built by volunteers 40 years ago; protect animals from extreme heat; improve wildfire and disaster preparedness; expand exhibits to give animals larger, more natural spaces; and modernize guest accommodations.

CALM, which opened to the public in 1983, was founded by volunteers as a community effort. Kern County provided land for the project along the Kern River. In the mid-1990s, CALM was acquired by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and became a department within the superintendent's office. A separate nonprofit foundation was established to raise money for CALM. In 2010, CALM received accreditation from the Zoological Association of America.

Measure Z, a voter-initiated, countywide special tax measure, is titled on the November ballot California Living Museum Improvement and Conservation Act of 2026.

The tax is intended to fund CALM's 20-year master plan that includes the zoo's eventual expansion by approximately 40 acres. The expansion could include habitat for wolves, grizzly bears, bison and elk, as well as expanded habitat for California condors.

According to Jim Damian, president of the board of Protect CALM Zoo, the organization spearheading the Measure Z campaign, voters have a clear choice.

"For one penny on every $8, we turn a local treasure into a destination that draws families from across the Central Valley. That is an investment in Kern County jobs, visitors and a place our families will treasure for generations to come."

Passage of Measure Z is a good investment in a great community treasure.