America’s Conservation Capital
Nature-based Attractions in the Heart of the Ozarks
The Johnny Morris Foundation is the centerpiece of America’s Conservation Capital in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains.
Known as America's Conservation Capital, the Ozarks offers a variety of nature-based attractions and experiences to connect with the outdoors. With activities like fishing on Table Rock Lake, golfing on world-class courses, shooting ranges, horseback riding and more, each experience includes signature details and natural beauty for which Johnny Morris is best known.
What is conservation?
Learn more about our conservation efforts!
Johnny Morris Foundation
To support conservation, wildlife and positive environmental change, the Johnny Morris Foundation gives our community opportunities to connect with the great outdoors and make a difference in conserving our natural resources. Using his entrepreneurial success as a platform for these causes, Johnny Morris has contributed time and resources to many significant conservation efforts.
World-Class Conservation Attractions
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, the largest, most immersive conservation attraction in the world is located in the heart of America in Springfield, Missouri, USA.
Unprecedented in scale and scope, Wonders of Wildlife is larger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. With 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, the 350,000-square-foot complex is a wonder in and of itself.
Beyond its sheer scale and quality, what’s most impressive about the museum and aquarium is its powerful message to inspire everyone to connect with the outdoors.
The museum and aquarium pay homage to the sportsmen and women of yesterday, today and tomorrow with the knowledge that the surest way to preserve our rich outdoor heritage is to expose more people to its awe-inspiring beauty.
Interested in learning more about Wonders of Wildlife?
Interested in learning more about Dogwood Canyon?
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a 10,000-acre slice of alluring Ozarks paradise offering hiking, biking, Segway tours, wildlife tram tours, horseback riding, trout fishing and more. Created by Johnny Morris, the not-for-profit nature attraction serves as an outdoor playground that inspires visitors to get involved in wildlife conservation. The natural beauty of the park includes towering bluffs, waterfalls, creek beds, handcrafted bridges and wildlife such as American bison, Rocky Mountain elk and white-tailed deer.
Dogwood Canyon’s Conservation and Education Center is used to teach the importance of protecting and conserving the great outdoors with interactive nature-based education programs for all ages.
Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve
Top of the Rock is a nature-based heritage preserve and majestic cliff top experience adjacent to Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. It includes the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail and Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, and is part of a 462-acre development with remarkable restaurants and social spaces with jaw-dropping views that accompany unforgettable nature-based attractions.
The Lost Canyon Cave Trail is a self-guided electric cart tour through an Ozarks landscape and cave, and the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum celebrates the people, wildlife and history of the Ozarks region. One of the largest private collections of Native American artifacts anywhere, the experience is a powerful tribute to America’s first conservationists developed in partnership with a council of tribal leaders from across the country.
Interested in learning more about Ozarks Heritage Preserve?
Nearby Experiences & Attractions
Big Cedar Lodge
Big Cedar Lodge is America’s premier wilderness resort. The 4,600-acre lakeside retreat connects families to the outdoors with a variety of nature-based experiences including fishing, shooting, boating, hiking, spa and wellness offerings, hosting more than 1.5 million guests annually. Named “Number One Resort in the Midwest” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for two consecutive years, the resort offers genuine Ozarks hospitality and a convenient location just south of Branson.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Shooting Academy
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Shooting Academy is a stunning outdoor playground for sporting enthusiasts. Designed for all skill levels, this world-class facility is the ideal destination for family activities. It offers training and experience in shooting sports all in front of the stunning backdrop of the highest peaks in the Ozark Mountains. Various shooting disciplines including ATA Trap, Wobble Trap, American Skeet, and Sporting Clays are available.
Big Cedar Golf
World-class golf at Big Cedar Lodge combines the natural beauty and stunning views of the surrounding Ozark Mountains with challenging play for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Five courses in total, Big Cedar Golf offers course designs by some of the most prominent names in golf including Top of the Rock by Jack Nicklaus, Buffalo Ridge by Tom Fazio, Ozarks National by Coore & Crenshaw, Mountain Top by Gary Player, and Payne's Valley by Tiger Woods.
Table Rock Lake
Table Rock Lake offers 800 miles of wooded shoreline and 43,000 surface acres of blue green water, making it one of the premier fishing and recreation lakes anywhere in the country. Guests can enjoy boating, sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, hiking and shoreline camping amongst fishing for a healthy population of walleye, bluegill, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, spotted bass and flathead catfish.
Other Attractions & Museums
While you're at exploring conservation, check out these other opportunities.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World - Known as the “grandaddy” of all outdoor stores, this is the number one tourist destination in Missouri attracting four million families, sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts every year. With nearly 500,000 square feet of immersive shopping fun, the original Bass Pro Shops location offers visitors one of the largest assortments of outdoor gear, apparel and gifts under one roof.
The Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF) 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 outdoor education. The school educates and inspires future conservation leaders by offering lucky 5th-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.
The John A. & Genny Morris Conservation Education Center - This education center beckons the conservation leaders of today and tomorrow to gather together at the completed 50,000-square-foot facility. Elaborate banquet spaces with a signature wilderness atmosphere are available for national conservation organizations as well as local community groups. Conferences, meetings, lectures, workshops and special functions can be accommodated with a full kitchen and hospitality team to support catering and events.
Bass Pro Shops Motorsports Museum - Located inside Bass Pro Shops, the Motorsports Museum features a variety of racing memorabilia, such as fire suits, helmets and racing collectibles. Visitors can get an up-close look at the actual cars used in races, such as the champion No. 3 car Dale Earnhardt drove for his Daytona 500 win in 1998. Learn More ›
Bass Pro Shops History Museum - Learn about the rich history of Bass Pro Shops and its humble beginnings when founder Johnny Morris got his start in 1972 by selling fishing tackle out of the back of his father’s store. Since then, Johnny has earned a reputation as one of the most visionary and influential retailers of the last 50 years.
NRA National Sporting Arms Museum - This free museum showcases the development and evolution of hunting arms in America from colonial times to today; home to the premier collection of sporting arms in the world. Learn More ›
Archery Hall of Fame - This free gallery 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. Learn More ›