FEATURE

Walt Disney of the Outdoors

In case you've missed it, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris opened another of his outdoor projects to the public over the weekend, The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.

The obligatory grand opening guest list read like a who's who of conservation, politics and entertainment. Former Presidents Carter and Bush took the ultimate celeb tour with Morris (top) but actor Mark Wahlberg (bottom) wowed the crowd with his dive in the amazing Great Oceans Hall, a 300,000 gallon circular tank teeming with a variety of saltwater fish.)

And it's no wonder that he's now being referred to as "Walt Disney of the Outdoors". His stores have always been tourist attractions, but his showpieces, including the Pyramid in Memphis and now the "WOW" connect people with the outdoors the same way Disney and his "imagineers" connected families to fairy tales and cartoon characters.

To give you the idea of how big Morris thinks, the 350,000 square foot, non-profit Wonders of Wildlife was ten years in the making- and is larger than the Smithsonian Museum of National History.

Before opening the doors to the general public, however, Morris threw a private preview that included an A-list that would get attention anywhere. As is in the keeping with Springfield, Missouri now being referred to as the "Captiol of the Outdoors" his party goers included former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (who swam in the shark tank while answering questions from attending grade schoolers), and Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. Celebrities included actors Kevin Costner and Mark Wahlberg (who also took advantage of an invitation to scuba in the tanks) and country singers Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, John Anderson and others.

It's safe to say that Morris has fired another bullseye with this latest project - while simultaneously cementing his position atop outdoor advocates and making a great case for Springfield, Missouri's becoming a major tourist attraction.



Now open to the public, the new Wonders of Wildlife exhibits give the rest of us the opportunity to see and experience the outdoors in compelling ways, from surrounding ourselves with River Monsters (top) to the 4D (sight, sound, hearing and smell) panoramas of sheep on mountain peaks (Bottom).



Thanks to Morris and his projects, visitors there can now enjoy everything from world-class family entertainment in WOW to top level golf, and maybe even squeeze in a little shopping at the Bass Pro Shop -conveniently located just next door.

The new Wonders of Wildlife is open every day but Christmas. You can learn more at www.wondersofwildlife.org.

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