FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On behalf of City Council and the City of Springfield, Mayor Ken McClure congratulates Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium on being named America’s Best New Attraction in a recent USA Today national poll.
“The community is very proud of Wonders of Wildlife, Bass Pro and Johnny Morris on this impressive recognition. We agree that the museum is a world-class attraction that helps put Springfield on the map as a major tourist destination,” McClure said. “We are especially thankful to Mr. Morris for being very committed to our region, our people, and especially our youth. I also want to thank Springfield residents for stepping up and supporting WOW during this vote.”
Wonders of Wildlife celebrates people who hunt, fish and most importantly, act as stewards for environmental resources. It opened in September 2017 and is considered the world’s largest, most immersive fish and wildlife attraction. Wonders of Wildlife consists of an all-new 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds, and an immersive wildlife museum that brings visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled. Located adjacent to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters, the 320,000-square foot experience celebrates people who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water.
“Our importance as a community has been elevated by the presence of this unique conservation showcase,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jan Fisk. “The Morris family has given Springfield and the conservation community possibly the last great museum of its kind, even greater than the Natural History Museum in New York City and the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. Those who tour WOW will truly be inspired by the vision of Johnny Morris. We hope visitors from across the globe will fall in love with the Ozarks, the place we are fortunate to call home.”
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For more information, contact City of Springfield Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].