Johnny morris family

Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops founder and lifelong conservationist, and members of his family were awarded the the National Audubon Society's top award last week — the Audubon Medal.

Until now, only 57 people have received the award since the first one was presented in 1947.

Morris accepted the award at The Plaza Hotel in New York City together with his wife, Jeanie, and children John Paul, Megan, Julie and Jennifer.

A news release notes that Morris has devoted his life to preserving wildlife and wild places so that future generations can be as energized and excited by nature as he has been.

Morris has long pointed to his earliest days of being out with his family on the streams of the Missouri Ozarks as the inspiration for his success with Bass Pro Shops.

Given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of conservation and environmental protection, The Audubon Medal was first given out in 1947 to Hugh Hammond