FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Veronica Jackson, PCI
[email protected]
312-558-1770
Plans unveiled for a new national conservation destination, launching in
partnership with world-renowned conservation leaders
America’s Wildlife Museum and Aquarium envisioned to be the foremost destination for anyone
who loves and protects the outdoors
Springfield, Mo. – Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and leading conservationist, in
partnership with noted conservationists from around the world, unveiled plans behind America’s
Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, envisioned as the most elaborate
conservation attraction of its kind for fish and wildlife conservation. The announcement took
place at the Professional Outdoor Media Association annual conference. Scheduled to open in
spring 2016, the 315,000-square-foot educational experience will consist of multiple thematic
attractions and exhibits on a scale unlike anything else in the world.
Anchored by an all-new world-class aquarium, the massive facility brings together a variety of
compelling opportunities for visitors of all ages to engage with nature like never before. Through
immersive environments and incredible live animal habitats, the experience aims to showcase
the beauty of wildlife while celebrating the critical role hunters and anglers play in wildlife
conservation by honoring past accomplishments and ongoing efforts.
“Responsible hunters and anglers are often the unsung heroes in conservation despite playing a
significant role,” said Johnny Morris, the visionary behind the experience. “Our vision is to create
a world-class experience that celebrates hunting, fishing and conservation in Springfield where
half of the U.S. population lives within a day’s drive.”
When fully realized, the attraction will consist of an all-new 1.3-million-gallon aquarium
adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds in an immersive tour
through the world’s marine habitats; a wildlife museum that brings visitors eye-to-eye with
amazing mammal specimens from North America, Africa and the Arctic; and a conservation
education center for youth programs, conservation groups and events.
Construction on the project – funded entirely by private dollars, primarily from the nonprofit
Johnny Morris Foundation – is underway with a grand opening anticipated in spring 2016.
Additional details will be announced prior to the opening. Specific components include:
All new aquarium adventure and Fishing Heritage Hall
The centerpiece is an entirely new world-class aquarium adventure designed by renowned
aquarium architect Michael Olesak that plunges guests into a thrilling tour of the world’s oceans,
lakes and streams, bringing them eye-to-eye with more than 35,000 animals. Visitors will
encounter sharks, rays, jellies, eels and more in fully immersive environments that transport
visitors to some of the wildest aquatic ecosystems on earth.

New Fishing Heritage Hall –
Visitors will first enter the
breathtaking 60,000-square-foot
entry hall, home to a dramatic
300,000-gallon “open ocean”
habitat teeming with saltwater
marine life including mahi-mahi.
Guests can become aweinspired by a collection of boats
fishing legends were made on,
including the very first Tracker and Ranger boats, as well as historical boats used by
Jimmy Buffet, and Ernest Hemingway. In addition, guests can view renowned author and
angler Zane Grey’s famous boat, moved to the Museum from New Zealand, where the
first 1,000-pound marlin was caught. The Hall also serves as the ticketing and lobby
area.

New aquarium adventure – Designed to transport visitors to some of the world’s
greatest undersea environments, visitors will discover an elaborate trail system that
winds in and around marine habitats teeming with life, including a sunken shipwreck,
colorful coral reefs, tropical coasts, underwater caves, steamy rainforests, freshwater
swamps and more. Throughout the more than one-mile journey, visitors can get closer
than ever before with surprises around every turn including opportunities to get “handson” with a variety of ocean animals. The aquarium celebrates the diversity of all sea life,
especially game fish, and highlights the need to conserve the beautiful ecosystems they
call home.

New International Fishing Hall of Fame – The new International Game Fish
Association Fishing Hall of Fame will highlight some of the sport’s most accomplished
men and women through interactive exhibits, personal artifacts and masterfully
recreated replicas of world-record fish mounts from both freshwater and saltwater
species.
The International Game Fish Association, which represents members in more than 125
countries, has hosted this interactive collection at its global headquarters in Dania
Beach, Florida, for the past 16 years. Relocating the exhibit to the new Museum will
provide substantially more exposure and engage more of IGFA’s members and the
public.
“We’re thrilled with the opportunity to join a much larger conservation vision that celebrates our
sport and the wildlife we love,” said IGFA President Rob Kramer. “Partnering with long-time
friend and supporter Johnny Morris on this experience is a win-win for our organization and our
mission of game fish conservation.”
All-New wildlife museum and Hunting Heritage Hall
Walk amongst the largest land mammals on earth, go eye-to-eye with the Arctic’s top predator
and discover some of the most spectacular game animals on the planet in this sprawling
50,000- square-foot showcase of amazing mammals from around the world.

Hunting Heritage Hall – Meticulously recreated lifelike environments will educate
visitors about the importance of conserving the icons of the animal kingdom. Inspired by
Johnny Morris’ visits to the great natural history museums of America, this all-new
showcase takes the concept even further with lifelike animal diorama displays
surrounded by recreated natural settings including hand-painted murals, foliage,
waterfalls, lighting, sound, wind, and temperature settings to transport visitors to many of
the world’s most diverse habitats. Special features include the King of Bucks, the largest
collection of trophy white-tailed deer in the world, and Art Dubbs’ record collection of
sheep from around the globe set amongst a dramatic rocky mountain cliff. Displays
highlight the work of America’s leading conservation groups including Ducks Unlimited,
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and many others.

Boone and Crockett Club’s world-famous National Collection of Heads and Horns
– Experience a part of history through more than 40 historically significant North
American big game mammals that originally helped bring conservation to the forefront of
public awareness in America when it debuted at New York’s Bronx Zoo in 1922.
Established by the Boone and Crockett Club, a wildlife conservation organization
founded by Theodore Roosevelt, the collection originally exposed thousands to big
game animals at a time when their numbers were dwindling, drawing national attention
to the plight of wildlife after decades of unregulated harvest and irresponsible land use
practices. Amazed by the natural beauty, an inspired and determined public ensured
subsequent legislation proposed by Club members to protect wildlife and habitats were
given top priority.
Today, guests can still marvel at the bears, bison, caribou, elks, walrus and other big
game animals, many of which are considered world-record holders for their size. The
collection is relocating from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, to once
again introduce this historic and influential collection to new audiences.
“The Boone and Crockett Club is honored to contribute our historic collection to what will surely
become the most elaborate conservation education attraction in the world,” said Tony
Schoonen, the club’s chief of staff. “Johnny’s Museum builds on our rich legacy of conservation
to ensure future generations will join our efforts to protect wildlife.”
John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Education Center
The conservation leaders of today and tomorrow already gather together at the completed
50,000-square-foot Conservation Education Center, which connects to the Museum facility.

The Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility School, a comprehensive outdoor
learning school operated in partnership with Springfield Public Schools, Missouri
Department of Conservation and Bass Pro Shops, is a national model for outdoors
education. The school educates and inspires future conservation leaders by offering
lucky fifth-grade students a full-time curriculum for an entire school year. While students
spend significant time in nature, fully equipped classrooms and labs offer everything they
need to learn about and protect the outdoors for life.

National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School, which runs outdoor
conservation education programs for families across Missouri.

Elaborate banquet spaces with a signature wilderness atmosphere are available for
national conservation organizations as well as local community groups throughout the
year. Conferences, meetings, lectures, workshops and special functions can be
accommodated with a full kitchen and hospitality team to support catering and events.
Additional Conservation Partnerships

The National Archery Hall of Fame seeks to preserve the sport’s history and tradition
with more than 1,500 artifacts including a handmade bow made by the Native American
Apache leader Geronimo. By honoring the outstanding men and women in the sport, the
experience sends a message that anyone can enjoy archery as a gateway to
appreciating the outdoors.

The NRA Sporting Arms Museum showcases the development and evolution of
hunting arms in America from colonial times to today in this educational gallery and one
of the premier firearms museums in the world. Home to nearly one thousand artifacts the
Museum tells the story of American icons such as Lewis and Clark and Theodore
Roosevelt. 500,000 visitors experienced the Museum in its first 18 months.
The Museum complements its neighbor, Bass Pro Shops’ iconic flagship store. Known as the
“Grandaddy” of all Bass Pro Shops locations, this is the largest Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World,
and the number one tourist attraction in Missouri, attracting four million sportsman and outdoors
enthusiasts each year as Missouri’s most popular tourist destination.
Together the campus components create a remarkable new “must-see” destination
poised to become a world-class attraction for the millions who enjoy outdoor recreation.
More details about the new Museum and its features will be available in the coming
months.
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About The Johnny Morris Foundation
Established by Bass Pro Shops Founder and noted conservationist Johnny Morris, The Johnny Morris Foundation is
a national leader in promoting and supporting conservation and outdoors education. In addition to supporting a
variety of conservation partnerships and education initiatives nationally, the Foundation currently operates Dogwood
Canyon Nature Park, a 10,000-acre park in Lampe, Mo. and will operate various components of America’s Wildlife
Museum and Aquarium scheduled to open in spring 2016 in Springfield, Mo.
About The International Game Fish Association
Founded in 1939, the IGFA is a non-profit organized under Section 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code and is
best known for conservation efforts of fisheries, educational programs, rule-making and for maintaining worldwide
game fish records in freshwater, saltwater, fly fishing and junior angler categories. IGFA members are located in over
125 countries. For further information, contact the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way,
Dania Beach, Florida 33004; phone 954-927-2628, fax: 954-924-4299, website: www.igfa.org.
About The Boone and Crockett Club
The Boone and Crockett Club was founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887 as North America’s first hunting and
conservation organization. Its mission is to promote and encourage hunting, and to maintain the highest ethical
standards of fair chase and sportsmanship in North America. Join us at www.boone-crockett.org.
About Bass Pro Shops®
Bass Pro Shops®, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 90 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers across
America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of
which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website
serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com), a
leading brand of fishing boats for more than 36 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and
cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com), voted number
six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World's Best Hotels for Families. For more information,
visit www.basspro.com. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. Follow us on Facebook
at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops