Turtle Bay Breaks Ground On NEW Environmental Resource Building

The site of construction for the new Environmental Resource Building

Community gathering for the groundbreaking ceremony

Exciting additions are coming to Turtle Bay Exploration Park! Yesterday morning, we broke ground on the NEW Environmental Resource Building! This long-awaited project was celebrated by staff, the Board of Regents, volunteers, and community members at a special ceremony on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.

Sue Asbill & family, CEO & President -Lindsay Myers

The Environmental Resource Building (ERB) is an addition that we have been anticipating for quite some time. The new infrastructure will replace the existing double-wide trailer that has hosted past programs and events at the Nursery and has served as the Horticulture Department’s office for the last two decades. The ERB will feature a classroom, nursery storefront, and office space for the Horticulture Department staff, made possible by grants from the California Cultural & Historical Endowment and the KBK Foundation.

The groundbreaking ceremony included words from CEO & President - Lindsay Myers, Horticulture Manager - Lisa Endicott, Development Officer - Joanne Crosetti, Bill Nagel, and Sue Asbill. Nagel shared the details of the upcoming infrastructure featuring a 2,821-square-foot building, 1,570-square-foot outdoor patio space, and a 56-seat multipurpose classroom. The classroom will be named after Sue Asbill, who helped establish the Arboretum & Gardens, including the Arboretum Endowment, helping sustain it for years to come.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true groundbreaking without a Turtle Bay ambassador present! Digger, our American Badger, officially broke ground at the Turtle Bay Nursery by doing what he does best - digging! Guests were amused by Digger’s participation in the event and posed for photos to capture the memory.

Digger breaking ground at the construction site

Digger, the American Badger

The Environmental Resource Building will be another space on Turtle Bay’s campus for the community to gather and learn new things. With classes, workshops, and summer camps planned in the ERB’s future, individuals of all ages will find something of interest.

Thank you to all who came to the groundbreaking ceremony; we can’t wait to welcome the community into the beautiful new space later this year!

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