MUSEUM OVERVIEW
In operation since 1932, MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS):
Serves and strengthens the community,
Brings joy to families,
Inspires children to learn about natural resources and dream about their futures,
Assists teachers in bringing their classrooms to life, and
Ensures the conservation and enhancement of Mississippi’s fish and wildlife resources so they survive and thrive for current and future generations.
THE MUSEUM’S IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
The MMNS attracts visitors worldwide, generating economic impact as part of Mississippi’s tourism product, while providing key education, recreation, and scientific services statewide.
Located in Jackson, Mississippi, in historic LeFleur’s Bluff State Park, the MMNS is a learning institution, an attraction with membership benefits, and a research facility.
The MMNS’s primary users are the state’s school children, educational institutions, Mississippi residents, and visitors from across the nation and the world.
The MMNS is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the Association of Science – Technology Centers.
The MMNS is also a leader in the LeFleur Museum District – a collaborative partnership that brands and cross-promotes four museums located within minutes of one another at the intersection of I-55 and Lakeland Drive in Jackson.
The MMNS impacts conservation, education, and tourism in Mississippi through:
a statewide biological research program
collections that focus on the entire state
statewide educational programming
exhibits whose content covers the biology and geography of the entire state
hosting special events at the MMNS
mounting two traveling exhibits annually, and
by partnering with educational, government, and private institutions, agencies, and organizations throughout the state.
The MMNS provides strong support to local schools and maintains one of the largest natural green spaces in the city of Jackson.
MMNS educators share the Museum’s resources with visitors and through outreach. They distribute instructional materials and present hands-on, interactive educational programs and teacher workshops to schools in-house and statewide.
AWARD-WINNING
Year after year, the MMNS is ranked among the most popular attractions for Mississippi families, classrooms, and tourism organizations.
Recently, the museum has received awards - such as the Travel Attraction of the Year by the Southeast Tourism Society and Best of the Best by the American Bus Association – which are a strong endorsement of the quality of our permanent exhibits, programs, events, and nature trails. The museum is also regularly named on the Jackson Free Press Best of Jackson, Mississippi Magazine M List, and Parents & Kids Family Favorites.
The Museum is also a founding member of the LeFleur Museum District (LMD), winner of the Southeast Tourism Society's 2018 Shining Example Partnership Award for cooperative tourism work!
