Senator Maurice and Marianne Johannessen Animal Recovery Center Opens at Turtle Bay                          

 Community leaders and Turtle Bay supporters gathered on October 23, 2018 for a special dedication ceremony, recognizing the opening of the Senator Maurice and Marianne Johannessen Animal Recovery Center, a new multi-use building that allows Turtle Bay to give the best possible care to its animal ambassadors. 

The Animal Recovery Center will provide space for animals who require time off exhibit, allow our guests to experience young animals in a nursery room, have veterinarian space for minor treatments and recovery, and provide a safe space for new animals to acclimate during their required quarantine period.

Inspired by their love of animals, the Johannessens generously donated $205,000 to build this state-of-the-art facility.

“Maurice has been looking for a project to do specifically with Turtle Bay for a while. He’s really into animals, it’s a real passion for him. He wants to further the interaction between humans, especially young people, and animals,” says Marianne Johannessen.

Many prominent speakers were in attendance at the special dedication, including; Turtle Bay Exploration Park President & CEO, Michael Warren;  Chris Resner, Chairman of Turtle Bay’s Board of Directors; Redding Mayor Kristen Schreder; Sharon Clay, Curator of Animal Programs at Turtle Bay; Jake Mangas, President & CEO of Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce; and honorees Senator Maurice and Marianne Johannessen.

The Johannessens are long-time supporters of Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the community at large. As a California State Senator, Maurice Johannessen secured $25 million toward the building of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park complex and over $67.5 million dollars to local projects and improvements, including the Redding Library, Redding City Trail System, Cascade Theatre, Shasta County and other rural Sheriff’s departments, Redding Sports Complex, Shasta County Fairgrounds, Foothill High School, Clover Creek Preserve, Weaverville Performing Arts Center, the Igo-Ono School, and more.

Turtle Bay is very thankful to Maurice and Marianne Johannessen for their generosity. The Animal Recovery Center will enhance the lives of Turtle Bay animal ambassadors tremendously, allowing animals a place to go when they really need it.