The reopening of a major facility of the Missouri Department of Conservation is a major step for the department.
The Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Education Center reopens 21 months after shutting its doors for a major expansion hand renovation.
Warren Rose, Education Regional Supervisor with the MDC, said during an interview Wednesday on KRZK's "Ozarks Now" program, that the center, which was designed initially as a quick walk-through display, became a major tourist destination seeing over eight million visitors between 1980 and when it shut down for renovation in 2023.
Rose said the new facility, which includes a 7,500-gallon indoor aquarium, will be able to host up to 1800 visitors a day. Rose added that shortly after the first of the year, the center will be available for area schools and other groups for educational tours and events.
The complete interview with Warren Rose is below:


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