International interest, coupled with local recognition of the importance of the discovery, led to the acquisition of approximately 50 acres of land above and surrounding Riverbluff Cave for the purpose of preserving and protecting the resource.  The need for an entity capable of supporting, running, and maintaining the resource soon became apparent. In 2003, the Missouri Institute of Natural Science was officially formed.           

     
The primary objectives of the Institute at its inception, were to create a natural history museum, to educate the public on the ways in which learning from past environments can help us to be better stewards of our present climate and natural resources, to preserve and protect Riverbluff Cave and the fossils, minerals, artifacts and modern biological samples in the collection, and to provide a venue for meetings and educational activities involving community groups and local schools. Since that time the Institute has seen many successes, such as the installation of the first live broadcast fiber optic cable system within a cave, the construction of a combined office, geologic library and lab facility in November 2005, and the realization of a goal with the opening of Missouri’s first natural history museum May 5, 2009. 

 

Public response to the creation of the Institute has been extremely positive, with a steadily increasing number of schools requesting field trips and lectures for their students, local groups utilizing the museum facility for their monthly meetings and requests for research assistance with archaeological, geological, and paleontological projects.