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In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, host Matt Wyatt sits down with Angel Rohnke, Director of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Angel shares her journey from moving to Mississippi over twenty years ago to leading one of the state’s most beloved educational destinations.
She talks about how the museum connects children to nature through education, outreach, and hands-on experiences — from field trips and summer camps to overnight sleepovers under the aquariums. Angel also explains what makes the museum unique within the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, and how it serves as the first point of connection to the outdoors for thousands of Mississippi families every year.
The conversation covers:
• Angel’s 20-year path from educator to director
• The museum’s outreach programs serving all 82 counties
• How the LaFleur’s Bluff Playground has brought in over 500,000 visitors
• Upcoming museum renovations and new exhibits, including Ice Age Animals and LEGO builds
• Why connecting kids to the outdoors is at the heart of the museum’s mission
Mississippi Outdoors