Tails from the Oakland Zoo

The California Trail project at the Oakland Zoo doubles the size of the zoo complex to roughly 100 acres and furthers the zoo’s mission of conservation, education and research with a focus on native Californian animals. More than 20 years in the making, the $72 million project was a culmination of community collaboration and the dogged perseverance of the Conservation Society of California. The project includes 26 structures on 22 acres of land and an aerial gondola system. 

The design of this project was one that centers around conservation and experience. This is a project that celebrates a time when California was less developed, and indigenous animals roamed the natural landscape. The project is located in an untouched area of Knowland Park, and put there with the lightest impact on the land. Eight native endangered and threatened California species (gray wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, mountain lion, bison, jaguar, California condor, and bald eagle) are now housed at this exhibit.

Presenters: 

Alyson Yarus, LEED AP is a registered architect and LEED  with more than 20 years of experience. Alyson has been with Noll & Tam Architects since 1997 and is an Associate Principal.  Alyson has been working with the Oakland Zoo for more than 10 years. She served as project manager during the design of the new Veterinary Hospital at the Zoo, which opened in 2012, and a project manager for the California Trail exhibit. Alyson is passionate about designing animal facilities that balance the needs of animals, staff, and the larger community.

Mike Owens is a talented architect who has been with Noll & Tam for four years and leads the firm's Lean committee. He worked with Alyson on the Oakland Zoo California Trail Expansion during the project's construction administration. Mike’s background is in space planning, collaborative design, and comprehensive sustainable design solutions working on projects such as the Ashland Youth Center (with a prior firm), where he interacted with youth groups to create a design that positively impacted the community. He is a diligent problem solver, with a his commitment to meaningful environmentally conscientious design.