What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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JUNE 28-JULY 4, 2020 WHAT'S UP! 3 FAQ Dogwood Canyon Nature Park WHEN — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday WHERE — 2038 W. Missouri 86, Lampe, Mo. COST — Single-day adult admission starts at $18; annual member- ships start at $50 INFO — 877-459- 5687 or dogwood canyon.org BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette T he hand of Johnny Morris is everywhere in southwestern Missouri, from the original Bass Pro Shops location to the Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium next door in Springfield to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe. All of them actually owe their existence to Johnny's father, John, who inspired his passion for the outdoors and conservation. Morris grew up fishing on the White River with his family and started Bass Pro in 1971, selling tackle from a shelf in his father's Brown Derby liquor store in Springfield. "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 fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation," Shelby Stephenson, a spokeswoman for Morris' attractions, said when Wonders of Wildlife opened. "His passion for inspiring everyone to connect with the great outdoors combined with his desire to conserve the rich history of the Ozarks inspired his vision for Dogwood Canyon Nature Park," she adds, where Morris started gathering up parcels of property starting with 2,260 acres in 1990. "His dedication to conserving and restoring the natural Ozarks environment became the cornerstone for creating the private not-for-profit wilderness experience," Stephenson says. "Shortly after the property was purchased, an ancient burial was discovered near what is now the entrance of the park," Stephenson says in answer to a question about Native Americans in southwestern Missouri. "Buried within a cave crevice in a bluff, human remains were discovered which carbon-dated to 960 A.D. "In 1993, a team of archaeologists discovered three additional human burials within one of the park's many caves," she adds. "One of the most exciting discoveries from radio-carbon dating was that one of the burials dated back to 6000 B.C. This is believed to be the oldest human skeleton ever dated in the state of Missouri. "The land was also occupied during the 19th century, as settlers' cabins on the property have dated back to the 1830s. Later, during World War I, mining for lead and zinc took place at Hobbs Creek at Dogwood Canyon." According to Stephenson, the Dogwood Canyon property was "virtually unattended for several years prior to Johnny Morris' involvement, leading to severe degradation of the area's wildlife resources. Over the past 20 years the quantity and quality of the wildlife population has increased dramatically and is enjoyed by thousands of guests every year." Dogwood Canyon lets visitors get away from it all Dogwood Canyon offers a variety of adventures beyond just enjoying the outdoors. (Courtesy Photo) See Dogwood Page 4 BRANSON