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History
of the Petaluma Wildlife Museum
In the Beginning…
 In 1989, Ron Head, a wildlife and forestry
instructor, taught in a small, portable classroom filled with all
types of animals. His dream of expansion was soon to be realized
when a decision was made to close the Codding Wildlife & Natural
Science Museum. Museum founder, Hugh Codding, donated the entire
museum inventory and along with thousands of hours of community
service, an old bus garage was transformed into the world’s largest
student operated museum. Financial aid combined with tremendous
community support revealed that people could make a difference when
their energy is put to good use! Today, the Petaluma Wildlife Museum
is a non-profit organization supported by private donations and the
Petaluma City School District. Housed on the Petaluma High School
campus, over 9,000 ft. of museum is home to a million dollar
inventory of taxidermied and live animals. Exhibits include dioramas
from North America, Africa, a large fossil and mineral collection,
and an Australian aviary.
A High School Program...
The museum is a high
school classroom; home to 150 students during the school year. Open to
high school student’s grades 9-12, first year students are exposed to many
aspects of wildlife biology and environmental science. Students also have
the opportunity to enroll in hunter safety and become CPR and First Aid
certified. After a successful 1st
year, students are selected to return as docents. Docents provide guided
tours to groups of all ages and abilities. These students also perform
daily tasks such as feeding, providing veterinary care, and record keeping
of exotic animals, and of course, lots of museum maintenance.
The Adventure
Center...
The Steven
E. Nelson "Adventure Center" is dedicated to the minds of all ages
who love to explore, create, and discover. The inquisitive mind is a
wonderful gift which should be nurtured and energized by the
mysteries of nature and the environment. This center is dedicated to
those who ask "why."
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