Join the Greater Columbia Civil War Alliance (GCCWA) on Saturday, February 13, as it traces General Sherman’s 1865 march to Columbia with a full day of activities including the re-enactment of Union cannons firing on the State House, Sherman’s March bus tours and a Civil War Expo.

On your next trip to Riverbanks make sure you stop by Koala Knockabout – you might catch a glimpse of Oliver, the Zoo’s newest resident, a joey (or baby koala).
While koalas have a teddy bear-like appearance, they are not a bear at all. Koalas are marsupials, similar to kangaroos; the females have a pouch where they carry their young during development.

After tallying each visitor, it is official—more than one million guests visited Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in 2009…1,006,170, to be exact.

Start the New Year with a free visit to the Zoo. Riverbanks’ Free Fridays program kicked off Friday, January 1, and continues through February 26. Each Friday during the months of January and February residents of Richland and Lexington counties will receive free admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

The holiday shopping season is upon us and Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has the perfect present for everyone on your list. Gifts from Riverbanks are not only a great way to share the wonders of wildlife, but they also support Columbia’s world-class Zoo and Garden.

This November marks the twentieth anniversary of the opening of the Aquarium Reptile Complex (ARC) at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. On Saturday, November 14, Riverbanks will celebrate the anniversary with a variety of animal encounters and presentations for the public to enjoy.

On Wednesday, November 11, in honor of Veterans Day, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will offer free admission to all service men and women when they present their military ID card.
“This is a small gesture to for the service men and women who have dedicated their lives to our country,” said Satch Krantz, executive director of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “We are proud of their accomplishments and their commitment to our country.”

Any seasoned horticulturist will tell you the best way to have a show-stopping spring garden is to plan ahead. This fall, Riverbanks horticulturists are offering the public two opportunities to stock up on the hottest selections that will guarantee a spectacular garden next spring.
“The plants and bulbs at this year’s sales have been selected by the horticulturists at Riverbanks as plants that will thrive in our climate, eliminating the guesswork for gardeners,” said Andy Cabe, director of Riverbanks Botanical Garden.
Fall Plant Sale
The Fall Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, …

The giraffe herd at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is 6 feet taller after the birth of a female calf.
The leggy little girl was born overnight and was standing and alert when the keepers entered the giraffe barn on the morning of August 15. At birth, the calf was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and 119 pounds. Now, at 1 month, she is nearly 6 feet tall and 177 pounds.

During the summer of 2008, the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management conducted a comprehensive study to determine the annual financial contributions of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden on the economy of Richland and Lexington counties.
The report illustrates the economic impact of both tourism and operational spending associated with Riverbanks and proves that the Zoo and Garden is a powerful economic driver within the local economy. Most notably, the study revealed that Riverbanks generated $60.8 million in local business sales, $42.8 million of which was generated …