Clark Waldram Conservation

2023 Virtual Auction Raised $3,157

The AZFA annual Auction raises funds for the Clark Waldram Conservation Fund. Clark started working at the Kansas City Zoo in April of 1996. He immediately fell in love with working there as the Maintenance Supervisor; he also loved all the animals and enjoyed exhibit design and construction. Once Clark attended his first AZFA Conference he was hooked on the love and knowledge of its members. He wrote multiple articles for the AZFA newsletter and was awarded a free trip to the Calgary, Canada Conference in 2000. He was beyond excited to attend, but sadly never made it because of the crash that took his life on September 18, 2000.

The Clark Waldram Conservation Fund was created in honor of his passion and energy for conservation projects in the exhibit world. The fundraising began as an auction with the hopes of using a little money to go a long way when paired with our innovative spirit. Since then, the fund has provided zoos and aquariums with everything from professional expertise to much-needed supplies and building materials for conservation projects both local and worldwide.

Our most recent projects have included supporting the Punta San Juan Program and their need for constructing temporal housing and partnering with Oklahoma City Zoo Curator of Herpetology to aid in habitat restoration activities designed to protect, expand, and connect the habitats of the critically endangered Guatemalan Beaded Lizard and Campbells Alligator Lizard.

Recent Clark Waldram Grant Funded Project Reports

Upscaling habitat restoration efforts for the conservation of Heloderma charlesbogerti and Abronia campbelli

Oklahoma City Zoo and Fundesgua

Campbell´s Alligator Lizard (Abronia campbelli) and the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti) are critically endangered due to the decline in extent, connectivity, and quality of habitat due to unsustainable agricultural practices. Our investigations have culminated in the discovery of new distribution areas for both species. Campbell´s Alligator Lizard presents two new distribution zones that are completely disconnected from the original distribution zone; therefore, it is urgent to increase and connect these three known distribution zones for the species. We recently discovered a new population of H. charlesbogerti and subsequently established a new natural reserve the “Dry Forest Biotiope” to conserve the forest harboring this population. This area requires habitat restoration within and around the reserve borders.

The pressing need for broadening current habitat restoration efforts for both species, ignited by new scientific advancements, matches the increased involvement of local people. This situation creates a momentous turning point and opportunity for the program to expand habitat restoration efforts. To meet the project needs we will increase our efficiency through the application of technical tools to improve nursery irrigation and the planting processes. With the support of the Clark Waldram Conservation Fund, we are ensuring results at the desired scale, quality, and time needed for the conservation of Campbell´s Alligator Lizard and the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard.

Continue reading the report HERE

Get to Know Your Board!

Earle Blomberg

AZFA Treasurer

Earle Blomberg is the Treasurer on the AZFA Board. Earle is the Facilities Maintenance Lead at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. He has worked at Trek for over 36 years, starting as a seasonal employee while he was in high school. Over the years he has been responsible for all aspects of maintenance and mechanical work throughout the park and is the certified operator for the park’s water system. Earle is a native to the Washington area and has enjoyed running, camping, and hiking in the Cascade Mountains. Outside of work, Earle spends most of his time with his wife Stephanie, dogs Yui and Lumen, and with his growing granddaughter, 3-year-old Lily. Let's get to know Earle a little better!

In your 37 years or so at Trek, what is your favorite project that you have gotten to be a part of?

The new electric trams and Tour Station. On this project I was involved from day one of design and through construction. I had the opportunity to provide a lot of input based on our old trams and what we would need for the new trams. 

How many cars do you have and what are they?

Currently my wife Stephanie and I have four cars and an RV. I hate to say three of the cars are mine, it has taken several years to convince my wife to give up her Saturn Vue, which served a good life, but was starting to go down hill quickly.  She loves her 2017 Prius prime because in 3 months she has only had to put in a half a tank of gas twice. She charges it at home about 60 cents a night and her work has a free charger. I bought a 2014 Rav 4 which was to be her car when I paid it off, but she kept hanging onto that ol' Saturn. I sold my motorcycle and bought a 2000 Porsche Boxster.  The Boxster has been a lot of fun and work.  Being a twenty-three-year-old car there are certain things that wear with age not mileage. 

I have always worked on my own cars, but over time I got tired of doing my own repairs, with the Boxster that has brought the enjoyment back. I also have a 1983 Landcruiser FJ60. This has been a project for many years. It has not gotten the attention it deserves that last ten years.  I have thought about selling it, but my son said he didn’t want me too.  He would like to work on it with me in the future when he moves back to the area.  So, I guess I will be keeping that for another nine years when he gets out of the army. 

Tell us about those perfect dogs!

A little over a year ago we rescued two pit bull mix dogs. We had been with out any sort of pet for four months, the longest we'd gone without a pet in 27 years.  A friend of my wife knew we had lost our dog near the first of the year and said she had a coworker who’s son had needed to rehome his dog. Well, we ended up with two dogs because his ex didn’t want the other dog either during the separation. We could not bring ourselves to separate them! Yui is three and Lumen is six and they had grown up together.  Both dogs have totally different personalities.  One dog took to me (Yui) and the other dog took to Stephanie (Lumen). Lumen after ten months is finally wanting attention from me.  Yui she is a lap dog even though she is 85lbs. She has no problem climbing up on the recliner and laying her head on my chest and sleeping (snoring). We were not sure how they would act out in the public as they were never really socialized. They have been amazing meeting new people and other dogs. They love going for walks. One of their favorite things is going in the RV. As soon as we are getting the RV ready to go, they just want to sit in there as we load it. They know when we go in the RV, they will get several walks a day and get to go to the beach and chase balls.

Why have you stayed at Trek so long? What has kept you here?

I started as a seasonal at Trek when I was in high school.  My plan was to work summers while I was in college.  They posted a fulltime position for maintenance which I applied for and was hired on fulltime.  I was working fulltime and going to college at night.  I had originally planned to move on and get a degree in computers and robotics.  After working several years, I realized I would not be happy sitting behind a desk all day.  Trek gives me a chance to do a variety of different types of work.  I enjoy all the different aspects of the job.  In the last ten years I have been able to take on more projects.  I was able to design our new wolverine holding area which the crew built and is now new standard for holding areas.  Everyone at Trek works together it is more like a family, even as the number of staff grows it still has that feel.  I can honestly say that I would not want to work anywhere else.

If you could do something huge to make Trek more sustainable, what would you do?

This is a tuff one as we have always tried to be more sustainable.  I would love to see us get some solar panels. With new electric trams having a display of how much power we are generating and how much power it takes to run the trams I think would be beneficial in several ways. We could offset the power that the trams use and would be a great interactive experience for the guests.

Which Board Member do you want to know better?

John Borgmeyer

Fun Photos From Our Members!