Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium nominated again for “America’s Best Aquarium” honor by USA TODAY

Fans encouraged to vote online daily to advance conservation now through May 23

Springfield, Mo. –For the fourth year, Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, has been nominated for the honor of “America’s Best Aquarium” as part of a national poll conducted by USA TODAY. Fans of the not-for-profit conservation attraction and everyone who loves the great outdoors are encouraged to vote once per day by visiting www.wondersofwildlife.org/vote until voting ends on Monday, May 23.

“We’re very proud to help connect people, especially future generations of conservationists, to the great outdoors through Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium,” said noted conservationist and Wonders of Wildlife founder Johnny Morris. “Conservation is our passion, and for Wonders of Wildlife to be nominated for the fourth time as America’s Best Aquarium is a true honor for our entire team. We’re thankful to every visitor and member, each team member and volunteer, and of course our partners in conservation who all help us conserve and protect nature. We hope you’ll help us support conservation by voting for Wonders of Wildlife as America’s Best Aquarium.”

Shortly after opening, Wonders of Wildlife was named “Best New Attraction” in 2017 and is a previous three-time winner of the “America’s Best Aquarium” honor by USA TODAY, most recently receiving this honor in 2021. During the challenges of the last few years, millions of Americans have rediscovered the power of nature, making Wonders of Wildlife’s mission of connecting families to the great outdoors as important as ever. With 350,000 square feet and more than 1.5 miles of trails, Wonders of Wildlife takes visitors on a journey through immersive habitats that entertain and educate while sharing the story of America’s most significant conservationists throughout history and today. The educational impact on visitors of all ages fosters the next generation of conservationists, inspiring millions to enjoy, love, and conserve the great outdoors.

Thanks to fans voting daily in USA TODAY’s “America’s Best Aquarium” contest, a vote for Wonders of Wildlife is a powerful vote for conservation. Learn more about how a vote for Wonders of Wildlife is impacting conservation efforts across North America.

Wonders of Wildlife Celebrates Hunters and Anglers on a Grand Scale

As the only national aquarium highlighting our country’s first conservationists, hunters and anglers, Wonders of Wildlife pays homage to President Theodore Roosevelt, John James Audubon and all those who hunt, fish and act as stewards of the land and water. Exhibits featuring the International Game Fish Association’s Hall of Fame, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, and the greatest collection of record-setting big game animals ever assembled, invite visitors to gain a better understanding of the role of sportsmen and women in conservation.

Wonders of Wildlife Invests in Conservation Projects and Research

With a commitment to investing in projects that directly benefit fish, wildlife, and habitats in the Ozarks region and across North America, Wonders of Wildlife is an active participant in scientific research for conservation advancement. In addition, ongoing efforts and investments focus on fostering experiences for guests that inspire their active involvement in conservation and partnering with other animal care organizations to further conservation awareness and increase participation in research. Recent conservation research projects and field work include:

Serving as the Midwest’s only sea turtle rescue facility, welcoming and providing critical care for cold-stunned loggerhead turtles in both 2020 and 2021.
Partnering with other facilities to create the first elasmobranch reintroduction program using zebra sharks as a model.
Investigating the effects of ozone use in public aquaria alongside Missouri University of Science and Technology and Bass Pro Shops.
Partnering with the International Game Fish Association, Stanford University, and recreational anglers to use cutting edge science to learn more about biology of marlin and how they utilize the open ocean.

Free Wildlife Conservation Programs Are Available Worldwide
The education team at Wonders of Wildlife aims to connect people to nature through interpretive programs, creating a passion for conservation, and inspiring stewardship of the natural world. We connect future generations of kids to conservation. During the height of a global pandemic, operations were adjusted to expand reach through free interactive digital programs including Mission Conservation, a free educational app that allows kids to learn about nature from their homes and backyards. This free digital platform attracted a global audience – with participants as far away as the Cook Islands – and continues to make a positive impact today.

Conservation Lives Here
In a world increasingly disconnected from the great outdoors, it’s more important than ever for people of all ages to connect with nature through hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation to ensure we can protect wildlife for future generations. Wonders of Wildlife shares this passion with visitors through an authentic, educational, and fun celebration of wildlife conservation. The 350,000-square-foot attraction features more than 1.5 miles of trails through immersive habitats featuring the world’s foremost collection of conservation exhibits from more than 40 leading national conservation organizations – all coming together under one roof.

###

About Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium consists of a 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium Adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds, and immersive Wildlife Galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled. Created by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris, the 350,000- square-foot experience celebrates those who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water. Located next to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri the campus is a centerpiece of America’s Conservation Capital in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. Wonders of Wildlife has been voted “Best New Attraction in America” and “America’s Best Aquarium” by the readers of USA TODAY. For more information, visit www.wondersofwildlife.org.

Contact: press@wondersofwildlife.org | 417-230-7180