Bill Text: SC S1266 | 2021-2022 | 124th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Day declared as May 4, 2022
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2022-04-19 - Introduced and adopted [S1266 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2021-S1266-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE THE RIVERBANKS ZOO AND GARDEN, THE PREMIER ZOO ATTRACTION IN THE SOUTHEAST, TO CONGRATULATE THE FOUNDERS AND STAFF FOR FORTY-EIGHT YEARS OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION, ANIMAL CARE AND WELFARE, EDUCATION, AND ENTERTAINMENT TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, AND TO DECLARE MAY 4, 2022 "RIVERBANKS ZOO AND GARDEN DAY" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, situated on one hundred seventy acres, includes a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden located along the Saluda River in the state's capital city; and
Whereas, named one of America's best zoos by Trip Advisor, the readers of USA Today, and other media outlets, the zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has provided job creation and economic development in the community that will continue well into the future; and
Whereas, operated by the Rich-Lex Riverbanks Park Special Purpose District, a partnership of the City of Columbia and Richland and Lexington counties, the zoo is governed by the Riverbanks Park Commission with two members each from the three governments and one at-large member; and
Whereas, in the early 1960s, Columbia-area businessmen conceived of a zoo for the state capital, an idea which reached the planning stages in 1969, and the zoo opened on April 25, 1974, which included exhibits such as moated habitats for big cats and bears, other mammals, and various bird species; and
Whereas, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is the Palmetto State's largest gated attraction, averaging over one million visitors each year and is a four-time winner of the Southeastern Tourism Society's Shining Example Award as the Southeast's top tourist attraction and a two-time winner of the SC Parks Recreation and Tourism Governor's Cup Award as South Carolina's Leading Attraction; and
Whereas, the zoo is home to about two thousand animals representing more than three hundred species, with collections of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish. The Birdhouse at Riverbanks opened in 2001 and was given a Significant Achievement Award by the AZA as one of the best new zoo exhibits in the United States. It features a display of king, rockhopper, and gentoo penguins; African elephants; gorillas; and koalas; and
Whereas, Riverbanks also boasts a botanical garden that opened on June 10, 1995, with more than four thousand two hundred species of native and exotic plants. The botanical garden is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with a deep history rooted back in the early 1800's; and
Whereas, Waterfall Junction at Riverbanks Botanical Garden opened in April 2016 offering families and children of all ages new opportunities for nature exploration. Visitors can splash around a 25-foot cascading waterfall, unearth a life-size replica of T-Rex, and frolic between giant tree houses and kid-sized play houses; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate applauds the extraordinary success of the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, and the members look forward to hearing of their continued prosperity in the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, the premier zoo attraction in the Southeast, congratulate the founders and staff for forty-eight years of wildlife conservation, animal care and welfare, and entertainment to the citizens of the State of South Carolina, and declare May 4, 2022 "Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Day" in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.
