How it all started and OUR PHILOSOPHY
In 1989, Hugh Codding donated the entire Codding Museum inventory to Petaluma High School instructor Ron Head to create an innovative educational program. Ron's dream was to give high school students career and leadership skills through active participation in an environmental education program. The Petaluma Wildlife Museum facility was built in 1940 as a school bus garage. When the Museum's collection outgrew the confines of Ron's classroom portable, the Codding family helped purchase a new bus garage, freeing the old one to be used as a world-class 9000 square foot wildlife museum. Over the next few years, hundreds of volunteers from every corner of the community donated time and money to construct various dioramas representing habitats from across the world. They also built displays to house mineral collections, poaching artifacts, and the large live animal collection. Today, the Museum houses over 50 species of insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Thousands of people visit the Museum every year where dozens of high school students provide tours and animal education.
The Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science Museum is founded on an innovative education theory: if you give high school students as much responsibility and freedom as possible, they will rise to the challenge and succeed. Each school year, the Museum hosts several high school classes, educating over 100 teens about a variety of wildlife related subjects. Students take rigorous courses in wildlife and museum management to learn about environmental education, wildlife biology, animal husbandry, public speaking, and museum operations and maintenance. Additionally, throughout the school year, student docents are responsible for animal care, museum maintenance, program development, and conducting tours.
For nearly 30 years, the Museum has hosted thousands of school classes and community groups, teaching them about biodiversity, ecosystems, wildlife, animal adaptations, and natural history. Tours are conducted by trained high school docents and are developed around California State Science Standards. Grade school tours visit exhibits representing Africa, Asia, and North and South America. Students also explore our large mineral, fossil, and forestry displays. Hundreds of taxidermied and live animals engage children and bring the science lessons alive. Check out our "Visit Us" page for more information about booking a tour for your classroom.
The Petaluma Wildlife & Natural Science Museum is founded on an innovative education theory: if you give high school students as much responsibility and freedom as possible, they will rise to the challenge and succeed. Each school year, the Museum hosts several high school classes, educating over 100 teens about a variety of wildlife related subjects. Students take rigorous courses in wildlife and museum management to learn about environmental education, wildlife biology, animal husbandry, public speaking, and museum operations and maintenance. Additionally, throughout the school year, student docents are responsible for animal care, museum maintenance, program development, and conducting tours.
For nearly 30 years, the Museum has hosted thousands of school classes and community groups, teaching them about biodiversity, ecosystems, wildlife, animal adaptations, and natural history. Tours are conducted by trained high school docents and are developed around California State Science Standards. Grade school tours visit exhibits representing Africa, Asia, and North and South America. Students also explore our large mineral, fossil, and forestry displays. Hundreds of taxidermied and live animals engage children and bring the science lessons alive. Check out our "Visit Us" page for more information about booking a tour for your classroom.
Our board and staff
Adam
Adam Camacho, president, joined the Board in 2019. He also works in IT for Endsight in Berkeley. Adam became an advocate for the museum as it allows young adults to teach children, but also to support instructor Phil Tacata as he transitioned into leading the Museum. Adam’s favorite animal to visit at the PWM is the kestrel, and his favorite non-PWM museum is the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Adam Camacho, president, joined the Board in 2019. He also works in IT for Endsight in Berkeley. Adam became an advocate for the museum as it allows young adults to teach children, but also to support instructor Phil Tacata as he transitioned into leading the Museum. Adam’s favorite animal to visit at the PWM is the kestrel, and his favorite non-PWM museum is the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Robin
Even though being a firefighter for 22 years was a challenging and exciting career, vice-president Robin Haines' favorite job was working at Marine World Africa U.S.A. She started in 1987 and after a year was working Marine Mammals. In 1989 she transferred into the Elephant Department where she found her true love. She spent 5 days a week with 5 African and 7 Asian elephants. She started like everyone: just a dung beetle shoveling and cleaning up. After a short while she was walking elephants and then performing educational demonstrations. "It was by far the most amazing experience being around these massive yet gentle creatures," she remembers. Her goal is to share those moments, educate the students about conservation, and create a fascination of animals with the younger generations.
Even though being a firefighter for 22 years was a challenging and exciting career, vice-president Robin Haines' favorite job was working at Marine World Africa U.S.A. She started in 1987 and after a year was working Marine Mammals. In 1989 she transferred into the Elephant Department where she found her true love. She spent 5 days a week with 5 African and 7 Asian elephants. She started like everyone: just a dung beetle shoveling and cleaning up. After a short while she was walking elephants and then performing educational demonstrations. "It was by far the most amazing experience being around these massive yet gentle creatures," she remembers. Her goal is to share those moments, educate the students about conservation, and create a fascination of animals with the younger generations.
Kevin
Kevin Clarke, treasurer, joined the Board in 2013, but by day, he runs Bug Under Glass. Kevin first discovered the PWM when he attended the annual Pasta Feed, and he eagerly brought his experience working at natural history museums in California and South Africa to the PWM. Kevin appreciates that not only is the PWM is the largest student run museum in the nation, it also has an amazing collection of animals and artifacts that rivals other museums. His favorite non-PWM museum is IZIKO South African Museum in Cape Town, South Africa, and his favorite animals at the PWM are the death feigning beetles.
Kevin Clarke, treasurer, joined the Board in 2013, but by day, he runs Bug Under Glass. Kevin first discovered the PWM when he attended the annual Pasta Feed, and he eagerly brought his experience working at natural history museums in California and South Africa to the PWM. Kevin appreciates that not only is the PWM is the largest student run museum in the nation, it also has an amazing collection of animals and artifacts that rivals other museums. His favorite non-PWM museum is IZIKO South African Museum in Cape Town, South Africa, and his favorite animals at the PWM are the death feigning beetles.
Robert
Robert Barnes is the current secretary of the museum Board and his bio is on the way ..
Robert Barnes is the current secretary of the museum Board and his bio is on the way ..
Members at Large
Rebecca
Rebecca Abrams joined the Museum Board in 2019, and she teaches science at Hamilton K-8 in Novato. Rebecca appreciates the opportunities and experiences that museums offer children, having worked previously as a docent for school tours and a museum preparator at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and currently in museum preparation at the California Academy of Sciences. Though she loves the variety of animals both living and displayed at the PWM, the Greater Kudu is her favorite, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) in Paris, France.
Rebecca Abrams joined the Museum Board in 2019, and she teaches science at Hamilton K-8 in Novato. Rebecca appreciates the opportunities and experiences that museums offer children, having worked previously as a docent for school tours and a museum preparator at Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and currently in museum preparation at the California Academy of Sciences. Though she loves the variety of animals both living and displayed at the PWM, the Greater Kudu is her favorite, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (National Museum of Natural History) in Paris, France.
Susan
Susan Smith joined the Museum Board in 2019 but has taught science at Petaluma High for 20 years. She has been an admirer and supporter of the PWM since her very first visit. Susan’s favorite exhibit to visit is the African savanna, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
Susan Smith joined the Museum Board in 2019 but has taught science at Petaluma High for 20 years. She has been an admirer and supporter of the PWM since her very first visit. Susan’s favorite exhibit to visit is the African savanna, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
Mick
Michael ‘Mick’ Morris joined the Museum Board in 2019, and spends his days as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He joined the board due to the difference Phil Tacata made in his child’s life, but also because animals are cool. Mick recognizes that the museum and its students are providing a service to the school and the community, by making positive impacts on others’ lives. He loves music, and his favorite animal is the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).
Michael ‘Mick’ Morris joined the Museum Board in 2019, and spends his days as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). He joined the board due to the difference Phil Tacata made in his child’s life, but also because animals are cool. Mick recognizes that the museum and its students are providing a service to the school and the community, by making positive impacts on others’ lives. He loves music, and his favorite animal is the Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica).
Jessi
Jessi Redfield joined the Museum Board in 2019, but she has admired the PWM since she started at Petaluma High in 2015. Though she teaches English and journalism at PHS, Jessi loves science, museums, and anything that provides education to the public at large. She recognizes that the PWM sets Petaluma High apart from other high schools, and she absolutely adores working with and watching the student docents as they share knowledge with and inspire curiosity and passion in visitors young and old. Her favorite part of the PWM is the one impala that’s playing dead in Africa, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Natural History Museum in London, England.
Jessi Redfield joined the Museum Board in 2019, but she has admired the PWM since she started at Petaluma High in 2015. Though she teaches English and journalism at PHS, Jessi loves science, museums, and anything that provides education to the public at large. She recognizes that the PWM sets Petaluma High apart from other high schools, and she absolutely adores working with and watching the student docents as they share knowledge with and inspire curiosity and passion in visitors young and old. Her favorite part of the PWM is the one impala that’s playing dead in Africa, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Natural History Museum in London, England.
Karen
Karen Payne, MA Ed, first experienced the wonders of the museum over twenty years ago when she lived in the neighborhood and regularly brought her two young children to the museum. Many years later, Karen met Phil Tacata, the instructor of the MARS program, and soon to be instructor of the Museum Management program, when he was teaching and inspiring her own daughter to succeed in High School. In 2019, after a twenty-five year career specializing in early childhood education, Karen became the Summer Camp Director at the museum. Today, Karen is inspired by the passion, dedication, and commitment of new Board Members and the potential of this team of professionals to enthusiastically and innovatively pave the way forward for the museum. Growing up in England, Karen began to appreciate museums at a very early age and fully understands the importance and potential of Petaluma's "hidden treasure" to inspire curiosity, and to build a strong foundation for early learning and a life-long interest in nature, conservation, and preservation of the local and global environment.
Karen Payne, MA Ed, first experienced the wonders of the museum over twenty years ago when she lived in the neighborhood and regularly brought her two young children to the museum. Many years later, Karen met Phil Tacata, the instructor of the MARS program, and soon to be instructor of the Museum Management program, when he was teaching and inspiring her own daughter to succeed in High School. In 2019, after a twenty-five year career specializing in early childhood education, Karen became the Summer Camp Director at the museum. Today, Karen is inspired by the passion, dedication, and commitment of new Board Members and the potential of this team of professionals to enthusiastically and innovatively pave the way forward for the museum. Growing up in England, Karen began to appreciate museums at a very early age and fully understands the importance and potential of Petaluma's "hidden treasure" to inspire curiosity, and to build a strong foundation for early learning and a life-long interest in nature, conservation, and preservation of the local and global environment.
PWM Staff
Phil
Phil Tacata is the Instructor of Classes at the PWM and is also the director of the Marine Science program at Petaluma High, where he has taught science since 2014. In 2018, Phil was doubly honored as the California League of High Schools Teacher of the Year for Sonoma/Mendocino/Lake/Humboldt counties as well as a finalist for the Sonoma County Office of Education Teacher of the Year. Phil was offered the position of PWM Instructor of Classes in 2018, and he felt he had the skills, vision, and passion to re-ignite, develop, and grow a fantastic legacy program here for a very unique and special group of students at PHS. Phil recognizes the willingness and fervor with which our high school students teach elementary-age kids concepts that are at the core of some very harsh and serious real-world conservation issues affecting our world today. His favorite animal at the museum is Kiara the hypomelanistic Burmese python, and his favorite non-PWM museum is the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Phil Tacata is the Instructor of Classes at the PWM and is also the director of the Marine Science program at Petaluma High, where he has taught science since 2014. In 2018, Phil was doubly honored as the California League of High Schools Teacher of the Year for Sonoma/Mendocino/Lake/Humboldt counties as well as a finalist for the Sonoma County Office of Education Teacher of the Year. Phil was offered the position of PWM Instructor of Classes in 2018, and he felt he had the skills, vision, and passion to re-ignite, develop, and grow a fantastic legacy program here for a very unique and special group of students at PHS. Phil recognizes the willingness and fervor with which our high school students teach elementary-age kids concepts that are at the core of some very harsh and serious real-world conservation issues affecting our world today. His favorite animal at the museum is Kiara the hypomelanistic Burmese python, and his favorite non-PWM museum is the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Bella
Bella Sessi is the Animal Care Technician at the PWM. She was a student docent starting in 2013, began working for the museum in 2014, and became the Animal Care Tech in 2019. The Museum has been a huge part of Bella’s life since she was a student, and has this program and all the people involved to thank for inspiring her to build her life doing what she loved. Bella enjoys working with the public and getting the teach visitors about the amazing collections here at the PWM. Her favorite animal at the museum is Voldemort the Western Hognose Snake, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois.
Bella Sessi is the Animal Care Technician at the PWM. She was a student docent starting in 2013, began working for the museum in 2014, and became the Animal Care Tech in 2019. The Museum has been a huge part of Bella’s life since she was a student, and has this program and all the people involved to thank for inspiring her to build her life doing what she loved. Bella enjoys working with the public and getting the teach visitors about the amazing collections here at the PWM. Her favorite animal at the museum is Voldemort the Western Hognose Snake, and her favorite non-PWM museum is the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois.
