Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield MO will host a free two-day festival celebrating Native American heritage during its annual National Hunting & Fishing Day – September 27 and September 28 from 9am-6pm (starting at 10am on Sunday).
Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shop who established the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation, is the first to say that the Native Americans were our nation’s first conservationists. During the two-day event, Native American cultural demonstrations, along with storytelling connecting Native American heritage to conservation, will be among the many highlights.
As the official home of National Hunting & Fishing Day, Wonders of Wildlife is proud to mark the movement’s 53rd year with a weekend that highlights America’s outdoor traditions while honoring the Indigenous communities whose deep-rooted connection to the land continues to shape conservation today. In partnership with the American Indian Center of Springfield (Missouri), the celebration will feature cultural programming that recognizes the essential role Native American heritage plays in protecting wildlife and natural resources.
Festival highlights include:
- Family-friendly activities, vendors, food and live entertainment
- Opportunities to learn and get involved in hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation
- Native American cultural demonstrations and storytelling connecting heritage to conservation
- A community-wide recognition of the conservation leaders and traditions that preserve the great outdoors for future generations
Mr. Morris has been known to challenge families by encouraging them to put down their digital devices and spend time discovering the joy of being outside. National Hunting & Fishing Day weekend is an excellent time to power down.