Officials with the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC) at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) will host a presentation, “Enjoying the Rivers of the Ozarks” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at OHRC, which is located inside MSU-WP’s Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St., in West Plains.

Free and open to all, this event is sponsored by the OHRC and West Plains Council on the Arts. Refreshments will be provided.

The presentation will be given by Marcus Allen and will touch briefly on the role of rivers physically and culturally shape the Ozarks. Then, the presentation will shift to practical ways to enjoy the rivers and easy access points that can be explored by all.

More about Allen

Allen has been running the Facebook page Floating the Ozarks for just over two years and has gained just over 113,000 followers. The page is dedicated to sharing ways to experience the Ozarks’ rivers as well as other aspects of life and history in the region. While primarily focused on floating the rivers, the page also covers ways to enjoy nature in this beautiful region.

Allen grew up in southern Indiana surrounded by hills and trees. In 1995, after moving to the Ozarks to pastor a church, Allen fell in love with floating, fishing, backpacking, hunting and finding all kinds of ways to explore Ozarks.

For more information about the event, contact Rebekah McKinney at 417-255-7949 or RebekahMcKinney@MissouriState.edu. Visit WP.MissouriState.edu/Ozarks for additional information and upcoming events hosted by OHRC.