Springfield's Wonders of Wildlife aquarium voted nation's best again
For the third year in a row, Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium has been voted the Best Aquarium by USA Today readers.
This will be the fourth time Wonders of Wildlife has won that title, with previous years being 2018, 2020 and 2021. When Wonders of Wildlife opened in 2017, it was named "America's Best New Attraction" by 10Best.
A panel of travel experts nominated the aquarium as part of USA Today’s annual Reader’s Choice Awards, and then members of the public were able to vote every day in May to determine a winner.
Speakers at the press conference included Gov. Mike Parson, Springfield Mayor Ken McClure and Springfield Chamber of Commerce President Matt Morrow.
More: Readers choose America's best aquariums of 2022
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris shared his comments in a pre-recorded video, emphasizing their commitment to conservation.
"It's not just a building, it's not an aquarium. It's a celebration of conservation in America and the opportunity to pass along to future generations, the proud role that sports men and women have played since the days or Roosevelt and Audubon," Morris said.
In a video message shown during the press conference, Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam called the honor "a win for all of conservation."
More: Bass Pro Shops plans to open another location in Southern California
During the press conference, Bass Pro Shops also announced upcoming projects:
A 30-foot-tall and 90-foot-wide screen, dubbed a "digital aquarium" that would be visible from the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Sunshine Street.
The company's first Conservation Week will run from June 12 to June 18.
Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield's Wonders of Wildlife earns national recognition again
