For more than 35 years, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has been providing individuals, families and groups with a common place to connect with and learn about the world's wildlife and wild places. In 2008, more than 900,000 members and guests filled the Zoo for the second year in a row—a compelling testament to the extraordinary support that Riverbanks receives from Columbia and its surrounding communities. Your personal support as a Riverbanks member and donor has been especially vital, and we are very grateful.
Annual attendance and memberships are essential to maintaining the park’s daily operations, but it is private support that allows Riverbanks to improve and grow as a world-class facility. Community support this past year helped Riverbanks achieve the following:
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the birth of a koala joey, genetically valuable to the North American koala population; |
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the birth of a black-footed kitten, one of only 33 black-footed cats in accredited zoos nationwide; |
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the birth of five African lion cubs, enhancing the outlook for the African Lion Species Survival Plan; |
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the release of a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle into the Atlantic, part of a program designed to help raise sea turtle hatchlings until they can protect themselves from predators in the wild; and |
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the construction of the new Congo Classroom, which will increase the Zoo’s conservation education programs offered to children in our community by 25%—impacting 2,600 more students per year. |
Without the support of our members and donors, Riverbanks could not continue to lead the way in local, regional and international efforts designed to make the world a better place for the animals, our children and the community. Please consider the importance of Riverbanks as a community leader in conservation, recreation and education and make a donation today.
Your unrestricted gift will be used to fund the areas of greatest need within Riverbanks. For example, a donation of $100 may fund an educational program for underserved children in our community, $200 could help feed a lion cub for one month, and $500 or more may be applied toward the replacement of surgical lights in the animal hospital. Of course, a gift of any amount will assist our efforts and is sincerely appreciated.
The continued success of Riverbanks requires a strong show of support from our entire community. Please, show you care for your Zoo and contribute to Riverbanks today.
