Zoey
Zoey Haines (Board Member)
Hello, Zoey here! If you think I look familiar you might recognize me from the "Former Lead Docents" tab. It’s been a couple years since my graduation from the museum in 2022, but this is a program that continues to shape my life to this day.
Currently, I am a board member and back up animal care tech for the Petaluma Wildlife Museum. I volunteer for a variety of museum events, have been working on the fish tank in the lobby, and have represented the museum at several American Association of Zoo Keepers conferences. I attend SRJC full time with plans to transfer to Cal Poly Humboldt to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology with a minor in Marine Biology. My adventures in college thus far have led me to the symphonic band -where I continue to nurture my love of music- to the STEM laboratories on campus (I’m still keepin’ those A’s), and to winning a speech competition while in communications.
That being said, the public speaking style of communications competitions wasn’t quite to my taste as much as being a docent in the museum was. So I returned to my roots in both speaking and working with animals, building on the foundations the museum gave me by becoming a tour guide at Safari West. I absolutely love being able to introduce people to the animals this world has, especially at one of the places very close to my heart, and it doesn’t hurt knowing how to drive a stick shift either ;)
Outside of school and work and museum, I continue to volunteer at Classroom Safari and The Marine Mammal Center, where I assist in teaching the newer volunteers and Youth Crew members. I am, of course, still learning myself. I’ve delved into the preparation and administration of medications for pinniped patients at the center, I’ve been expanding my artistic palate with some new mediums, and my versatility with a bow and arrow now includes acting as my own personal pest control in my chicken coops.
Speaking of, I have aged out of 4-H but I am still showing chickens, quail, and pigeons in the open division. My mother and I specialize in Belgian Bearded D'Uccles, Sumatras, and Phoenix (among caring for the litany of other pets that we have). My animals and my plants bring me great joy. I certainly miss them when I’m traveling but I've been on a couple amazing trips recently. The highlight for me was spending a week on the South African savanna at the Zulu Nyala preserve. I gotta say, the idea of guiding in Africa is quite an appealing one. I’m keeping it, and several internship opportunities, in mind for after I finish my degree.
I guess -in short- I continue pursuing the goals, hobbies, and interests that I love. I’m still aiming for a career in animal training and behavior, with environmental education at its core. Even though that will take me far away from Petaluma one day I always plan to have the museum relevant in my life. This program has completed its mission to the fullest extent in my case. I am inspired.
Now to protect.
Hello, Zoey here! If you think I look familiar you might recognize me from the "Former Lead Docents" tab. It’s been a couple years since my graduation from the museum in 2022, but this is a program that continues to shape my life to this day.
Currently, I am a board member and back up animal care tech for the Petaluma Wildlife Museum. I volunteer for a variety of museum events, have been working on the fish tank in the lobby, and have represented the museum at several American Association of Zoo Keepers conferences. I attend SRJC full time with plans to transfer to Cal Poly Humboldt to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology with a minor in Marine Biology. My adventures in college thus far have led me to the symphonic band -where I continue to nurture my love of music- to the STEM laboratories on campus (I’m still keepin’ those A’s), and to winning a speech competition while in communications.
That being said, the public speaking style of communications competitions wasn’t quite to my taste as much as being a docent in the museum was. So I returned to my roots in both speaking and working with animals, building on the foundations the museum gave me by becoming a tour guide at Safari West. I absolutely love being able to introduce people to the animals this world has, especially at one of the places very close to my heart, and it doesn’t hurt knowing how to drive a stick shift either ;)
Outside of school and work and museum, I continue to volunteer at Classroom Safari and The Marine Mammal Center, where I assist in teaching the newer volunteers and Youth Crew members. I am, of course, still learning myself. I’ve delved into the preparation and administration of medications for pinniped patients at the center, I’ve been expanding my artistic palate with some new mediums, and my versatility with a bow and arrow now includes acting as my own personal pest control in my chicken coops.
Speaking of, I have aged out of 4-H but I am still showing chickens, quail, and pigeons in the open division. My mother and I specialize in Belgian Bearded D'Uccles, Sumatras, and Phoenix (among caring for the litany of other pets that we have). My animals and my plants bring me great joy. I certainly miss them when I’m traveling but I've been on a couple amazing trips recently. The highlight for me was spending a week on the South African savanna at the Zulu Nyala preserve. I gotta say, the idea of guiding in Africa is quite an appealing one. I’m keeping it, and several internship opportunities, in mind for after I finish my degree.
I guess -in short- I continue pursuing the goals, hobbies, and interests that I love. I’m still aiming for a career in animal training and behavior, with environmental education at its core. Even though that will take me far away from Petaluma one day I always plan to have the museum relevant in my life. This program has completed its mission to the fullest extent in my case. I am inspired.
Now to protect.
Bri Everhart (Animal Care Tech/Scheduling Coordinator)
Tacata
Philip Tacata (Board Member/Instructor)
Phil Tacata is the Instructor of Classes at the PWM and is also the Director of the Marine Science program at Petaluma High. Mr. Tacata has, thus far, led a journeyman's career in education; after spending a year in the Bering Sea as a fisheries biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service, he started teaching in January, 2000, as a young and brash 23-year-old middle school Math & Science teacher at Alum Rock Middle School in San Jose, CA. Since then, he's taught Science at two charter middle schools in Washington, D.C., taught Biology at his hometown rival high school in Daly City and, since 2014, has taught Biology, Marine Science, and Museum Management at Petaluma High School.
In 2018, Mr. Tacata received double honors 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 (specifically for his work revitalizing and developing the aforementioned Petaluma High School Marine Science Program). Shortly after, Mr. Tacata was offered the position of "PWM Instructor of Classes" with the hope that he could use his experience, vision, and passion to re-ignite, develop, and grow the Wildlife program just as he had done a few year earlier for the school Marine Science program. Currently, in his 5th year in charge of the PWM, he hopes it's on its way to returning to its robust, former glory.
Mr. Tacata recognizes the pedagogical potential and transformational power of the Museum Management program, both as a community portal for developing leadership skills in teens as well as being a unique environmental education tool that has taught (and continues to teach) concepts of wildlife conservation to generations of children here in the North Bay region. He prides himself in shaping the program to give his kids the kind of structural support and opportunities his teachers failed to afford him when he was a teen. Tacata, a popular and unorthodox teacher on campus, considers himself a "shaper of experiences" and his classes feature -at their core- some of the most ambitious, intricate, personalized, and potentially life-changing experiences for teens at Petaluma High; his labs are visceral and memorable, his lectures passionate and hilarious, and just being around the guy can, at times, feel like being at a snort-laughing comedy show with the production value of a viral video and and the soundtrack of a made-for-Hallmark movie (all at the same time). Oh yeah... He also runs some of the most legendary over-night field trip expeditions in the North Bay (just ask his alumni).
Mr. Tacata also likes to teach his kids some pretty cool stuff... Like Mr. Head (and Mr. Pawlan) before him, Tacata constantly looks for opportunities to "WOW" his students by showing them cool exotic animals, wicked skulls and pelts, or crazy-wild animal videos. He also never shies away from being real with his kids and will always and openly take time to discuss and dissect issues of conservation in the context of race and racism, environmental justice, and big-money politics. Ultimately, his goal is to expose his kids to things so amazing, so beautiful, and so magical that they can't help but end up seeing the world through a different lens.
Mr. Tacata knows the PWM is HOME for a very special group of students here at Petaluma High -the next generation of American conservationists- and has pledged to fiercely protect his students and positively develop this very special program during his tenure as Instructor.
Phil Tacata is the Instructor of Classes at the PWM and is also the Director of the Marine Science program at Petaluma High. Mr. Tacata has, thus far, led a journeyman's career in education; after spending a year in the Bering Sea as a fisheries biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service, he started teaching in January, 2000, as a young and brash 23-year-old middle school Math & Science teacher at Alum Rock Middle School in San Jose, CA. Since then, he's taught Science at two charter middle schools in Washington, D.C., taught Biology at his hometown rival high school in Daly City and, since 2014, has taught Biology, Marine Science, and Museum Management at Petaluma High School.
In 2018, Mr. Tacata received double honors 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 (specifically for his work revitalizing and developing the aforementioned Petaluma High School Marine Science Program). Shortly after, Mr. Tacata was offered the position of "PWM Instructor of Classes" with the hope that he could use his experience, vision, and passion to re-ignite, develop, and grow the Wildlife program just as he had done a few year earlier for the school Marine Science program. Currently, in his 5th year in charge of the PWM, he hopes it's on its way to returning to its robust, former glory.
Mr. Tacata recognizes the pedagogical potential and transformational power of the Museum Management program, both as a community portal for developing leadership skills in teens as well as being a unique environmental education tool that has taught (and continues to teach) concepts of wildlife conservation to generations of children here in the North Bay region. He prides himself in shaping the program to give his kids the kind of structural support and opportunities his teachers failed to afford him when he was a teen. Tacata, a popular and unorthodox teacher on campus, considers himself a "shaper of experiences" and his classes feature -at their core- some of the most ambitious, intricate, personalized, and potentially life-changing experiences for teens at Petaluma High; his labs are visceral and memorable, his lectures passionate and hilarious, and just being around the guy can, at times, feel like being at a snort-laughing comedy show with the production value of a viral video and and the soundtrack of a made-for-Hallmark movie (all at the same time). Oh yeah... He also runs some of the most legendary over-night field trip expeditions in the North Bay (just ask his alumni).
Mr. Tacata also likes to teach his kids some pretty cool stuff... Like Mr. Head (and Mr. Pawlan) before him, Tacata constantly looks for opportunities to "WOW" his students by showing them cool exotic animals, wicked skulls and pelts, or crazy-wild animal videos. He also never shies away from being real with his kids and will always and openly take time to discuss and dissect issues of conservation in the context of race and racism, environmental justice, and big-money politics. Ultimately, his goal is to expose his kids to things so amazing, so beautiful, and so magical that they can't help but end up seeing the world through a different lens.
Mr. Tacata knows the PWM is HOME for a very special group of students here at Petaluma High -the next generation of American conservationists- and has pledged to fiercely protect his students and positively develop this very special program during his tenure as Instructor.
A Message from Instructor Tacata
4/4/25
Dearest PWM Alum and Family,
It is with deepest gratitude, love, and a tinge of melancholy that I announce my departure as Instructor of the Petaluma Wildlife Museum. This June, I will have completed my seventh year at our Museum and, to put it plainly, it’s been a hell of a run. When I came to the PWM in August of 2018, I started from scratch: I inherited 1 class of 24 students, a transitory Board of Directors, an incomplete curriculum, and an outmoded tour script based on antiquated ideas of conservation, as well as a mish-mash of animal husbandry protocols and practices that were not in the best interest of our animals or students.
Since then, we have expanded the scope of our program in every fashion: the husbandry standards and live animal protocols at our Museum have never been higher (and our collection never healthier), our Board of Directors is populated with a stable, dedicated group of versatile and skilled adults, our curricula is (finally) UC A-G approved, and our tours feature a tight-yet-flexible age-appropriate script based on the latest science-backed data and ideological frameworks in line with modern day wildlife conservation and environmental sciences. Next year, I am proud to share our continued growth as a program as we are slated to offer 3 full sections of Exotic Animal Husbandry and 2 full sections of Public Speaking for Environmental Education, a total enrollment of 160 students that will execute and deliver some 70+ tours throughout the school year to over 3000 children of local elementary schools from all over the North Bay.
We have come a long, long way, PWM Family <3
I will continue to teach full-time at PHS as the Director of the PHS Marine Science program and as a general Biology teacher part of the PHS Science Department. I will be succeeded at the PWM by an excellent teacher and educator at PHS, Petaluma native and former PHS Teacher-of-the-Year, Mrs. Shereen Jackson. Mrs. Jackson will take over the reins as Instructor of the Public Speaking for Environmental Education course -the public face of our program- and join Exotic Animal Husbandry Instructor, Michelle Walters, as the two teachers of the PWM. Our future docents are very fortunate to have such passionate teachers as their coaches and guides in this incredibly unique program.
There are so many wonderful folks I’ve had the chance to work with these last 7 years, from dedicated and tireless elementary school teachers to our faithful and supportive community members to the cadre of adult volunteers whose work and sacrifice have allowed this program to function and flourish. I want to personally thank David Stirrat, Adam Camacho, Robert Barnes, Lori Glenn, Robin Haines,Tracy Perlich, Issy Barnes, Bella Sessi, Karen Payne, and Superintendent Matthew Harris; without you, I wouldn’t have been able to function in this incredibly demanding position, let alone thrive… Thank you each and all, deeply and with love.
However, my true thanks is for my students. Young people: it has been one the greatest honors of my life to be able to work with you as a coach, mentor, manager, and teacher. I have watched you grow and develop into incredible environmental educators, belly-laughing and ugly-crying through each step of our journey of seemingly endless tours, wild trips, ridiculous drama, and the pursuit of pedagogical excellence. We have stayed true to Mr. Head’s original and pure vision for this incredible and unique program –to inspire the next generation of conservationists– and I am so, so proud of you all.
You have inspired me, and I am forever grateful.
Protect what you love,
-Tacata
4/4/25
Dearest PWM Alum and Family,
It is with deepest gratitude, love, and a tinge of melancholy that I announce my departure as Instructor of the Petaluma Wildlife Museum. This June, I will have completed my seventh year at our Museum and, to put it plainly, it’s been a hell of a run. When I came to the PWM in August of 2018, I started from scratch: I inherited 1 class of 24 students, a transitory Board of Directors, an incomplete curriculum, and an outmoded tour script based on antiquated ideas of conservation, as well as a mish-mash of animal husbandry protocols and practices that were not in the best interest of our animals or students.
Since then, we have expanded the scope of our program in every fashion: the husbandry standards and live animal protocols at our Museum have never been higher (and our collection never healthier), our Board of Directors is populated with a stable, dedicated group of versatile and skilled adults, our curricula is (finally) UC A-G approved, and our tours feature a tight-yet-flexible age-appropriate script based on the latest science-backed data and ideological frameworks in line with modern day wildlife conservation and environmental sciences. Next year, I am proud to share our continued growth as a program as we are slated to offer 3 full sections of Exotic Animal Husbandry and 2 full sections of Public Speaking for Environmental Education, a total enrollment of 160 students that will execute and deliver some 70+ tours throughout the school year to over 3000 children of local elementary schools from all over the North Bay.
We have come a long, long way, PWM Family <3
I will continue to teach full-time at PHS as the Director of the PHS Marine Science program and as a general Biology teacher part of the PHS Science Department. I will be succeeded at the PWM by an excellent teacher and educator at PHS, Petaluma native and former PHS Teacher-of-the-Year, Mrs. Shereen Jackson. Mrs. Jackson will take over the reins as Instructor of the Public Speaking for Environmental Education course -the public face of our program- and join Exotic Animal Husbandry Instructor, Michelle Walters, as the two teachers of the PWM. Our future docents are very fortunate to have such passionate teachers as their coaches and guides in this incredibly unique program.
There are so many wonderful folks I’ve had the chance to work with these last 7 years, from dedicated and tireless elementary school teachers to our faithful and supportive community members to the cadre of adult volunteers whose work and sacrifice have allowed this program to function and flourish. I want to personally thank David Stirrat, Adam Camacho, Robert Barnes, Lori Glenn, Robin Haines,Tracy Perlich, Issy Barnes, Bella Sessi, Karen Payne, and Superintendent Matthew Harris; without you, I wouldn’t have been able to function in this incredibly demanding position, let alone thrive… Thank you each and all, deeply and with love.
However, my true thanks is for my students. Young people: it has been one the greatest honors of my life to be able to work with you as a coach, mentor, manager, and teacher. I have watched you grow and develop into incredible environmental educators, belly-laughing and ugly-crying through each step of our journey of seemingly endless tours, wild trips, ridiculous drama, and the pursuit of pedagogical excellence. We have stayed true to Mr. Head’s original and pure vision for this incredible and unique program –to inspire the next generation of conservationists– and I am so, so proud of you all.
You have inspired me, and I am forever grateful.
Protect what you love,
-Tacata
Former President Adam Camacho
Adam Camacho (President)
*Adam was a PWM Board Member and President from 2019-2024
The non-profit Board of Directors of the Petaluma Wildlife Museum is, understandably, a diverse cast of characters. We are people passionate about a wide range of ideas and causes and articulate enough to describe exactly what we are passionate about into the wee hours of the evening, especially on Board Meeting nights!
President Camacho joined the Board in 2019 and is the "calming glue" (think Old Spice-scented Elmer's) that holds our cast of characters together, keeping us focused on our mission and always reminding us to keep our students -and practicality- at the top of our list of priorities. By day, Adam works in IT as a General Manager for Endsight in Napa, but after-hours, President Camacho dawns his cape-and-cowl and becomes a super-heroic advocate for the museum, its students, and its patrons.
Adam loves the Museum as it allows young adults to teach children and, in particular, lends valuable support to Instructor Phil Tacata, as a much appreciated colleague, mentor, and friend. Adam loves to go cruising on the weekend on his "Flying Brick" K100, devours any and everything sci-fi and fantasy, and is the man lucky enough to be married to Kris Camacho, PHS' 2020 teacher of the year.
Adam’s favorite animal to visit at the PWM is the American Kestrel, and his favorite non-PWM museum is the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
*Adam was a PWM Board Member and President from 2019-2024
The non-profit Board of Directors of the Petaluma Wildlife Museum is, understandably, a diverse cast of characters. We are people passionate about a wide range of ideas and causes and articulate enough to describe exactly what we are passionate about into the wee hours of the evening, especially on Board Meeting nights!
President Camacho joined the Board in 2019 and is the "calming glue" (think Old Spice-scented Elmer's) that holds our cast of characters together, keeping us focused on our mission and always reminding us to keep our students -and practicality- at the top of our list of priorities. By day, Adam works in IT as a General Manager for Endsight in Napa, but after-hours, President Camacho dawns his cape-and-cowl and becomes a super-heroic advocate for the museum, its students, and its patrons.
Adam loves the Museum as it allows young adults to teach children and, in particular, lends valuable support to Instructor Phil Tacata, as a much appreciated colleague, mentor, and friend. Adam loves to go cruising on the weekend on his "Flying Brick" K100, devours any and everything sci-fi and fantasy, and is the man lucky enough to be married to Kris Camacho, PHS' 2020 teacher of the year.
Adam’s favorite animal to visit at the PWM is the American Kestrel, and his favorite non-PWM museum is the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
Fabian
Fabian Romo Macias (Board Member)
*Fabian was a PWM Board Member from 2021-2024
Yet another amazing PWM Alum from the Class of 2020, you'll be hard pressed to find a harder-working and bigger-hearted volunteer than Fabian. Fabian was a late-joiner to the PWM Family, only enrolling in the Museum Management class for the first time during his Junior year, but his impact for the next two years was felt immediately. As a docent, Fabian had an incredibly creative mind for presentations and, even more impressively, the discipline and initiative to self-research topics and create fun, interesting, and imaginative Ambassador Animal presentations to children of all ages.
Currently, Fabian is a student at SRJC and volunteers at the Museum as a docent supervisor on the weekends. He is currently working to build connections between the PWM and the myriad of associations and groups found in the Petaluma Downtown District. We are proud to have this wonderful young man back to help shape the future of our program in our community.
*Fabian was a PWM Board Member from 2021-2024
Yet another amazing PWM Alum from the Class of 2020, you'll be hard pressed to find a harder-working and bigger-hearted volunteer than Fabian. Fabian was a late-joiner to the PWM Family, only enrolling in the Museum Management class for the first time during his Junior year, but his impact for the next two years was felt immediately. As a docent, Fabian had an incredibly creative mind for presentations and, even more impressively, the discipline and initiative to self-research topics and create fun, interesting, and imaginative Ambassador Animal presentations to children of all ages.
Currently, Fabian is a student at SRJC and volunteers at the Museum as a docent supervisor on the weekends. He is currently working to build connections between the PWM and the myriad of associations and groups found in the Petaluma Downtown District. We are proud to have this wonderful young man back to help shape the future of our program in our community.
Rebecca
Rebecca Abrams (Collections Manager)
*Rebecca was a PWM Board Member from 2019-2024
Rebecca Abrams, taught middle school science for eight years in Novato Unified. She joined the Museum Board in 2019. Rebecca has brought an incredibly adept, specialized, and valuable tool-set to our Museum in the form of her many years of experience as a museum preparator at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and in museum preparation at the California Academy of Sciences. Currently, Rebecca is earning her master's degree in Museum Sciences at San Francisco State University and has taken lead on the daunting task of exhibit and taxidermy curation at the PWM. Our museum has compiled over 30 years of donations and taxidermy and Rebecca has taken on the challenge of cataloguing our collections head-on; she's pretty awesome!
Rebecca appreciates the diverse opportunities and experiences that museums offer children and adults. In her personal life, she also enjoys an array of passions and interests spanning the worlds of ornithology, geology, baking, nature-based crafts, you name it! 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 in Paris, France. We at the PWM are lucky to have such a dedicated member and volunteer among our staff.
*Rebecca was a PWM Board Member from 2019-2024
Rebecca Abrams, taught middle school science for eight years in Novato Unified. She joined the Museum Board in 2019. Rebecca has brought an incredibly adept, specialized, and valuable tool-set to our Museum in the form of her many years of experience as a museum preparator at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and in museum preparation at the California Academy of Sciences. Currently, Rebecca is earning her master's degree in Museum Sciences at San Francisco State University and has taken lead on the daunting task of exhibit and taxidermy curation at the PWM. Our museum has compiled over 30 years of donations and taxidermy and Rebecca has taken on the challenge of cataloguing our collections head-on; she's pretty awesome!
Rebecca appreciates the diverse opportunities and experiences that museums offer children and adults. In her personal life, she also enjoys an array of passions and interests spanning the worlds of ornithology, geology, baking, nature-based crafts, you name it! 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 in Paris, France. We at the PWM are lucky to have such a dedicated member and volunteer among our staff.
Julie
Julie Chang (Treasurer)
*Julie was a PWM Board Member from 2021-2023
Julie was inspired to join the Museum Board in Fall of '21 as she wanted to get involved in that "funny animal class that (her daughter) Sofia kept raving about!" So far, Julie has been a perfect fit and her work as Treasurer has been indispensable.
Julie has a background in fine arts as well as worked professionally (for most of her career) in the LA Unified School District as Director of Community Outreach. She loves all museums, especially the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and the National Air & Space Musuem. Currently, Julie is a stay-at-home parent and loves to give her time and support to Sofia and her passions. Julie also likes to plays tennis, cook (especially Korean and Korean influenced/inspired dishes), and her favorite animal is the manatee. Sirenians 4Ever!!!
*Julie was a PWM Board Member from 2021-2023
Julie was inspired to join the Museum Board in Fall of '21 as she wanted to get involved in that "funny animal class that (her daughter) Sofia kept raving about!" So far, Julie has been a perfect fit and her work as Treasurer has been indispensable.
Julie has a background in fine arts as well as worked professionally (for most of her career) in the LA Unified School District as Director of Community Outreach. She loves all museums, especially the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and the National Air & Space Musuem. Currently, Julie is a stay-at-home parent and loves to give her time and support to Sofia and her passions. Julie also likes to plays tennis, cook (especially Korean and Korean influenced/inspired dishes), and her favorite animal is the manatee. Sirenians 4Ever!!!