Living with Wildlife

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s campus crosses the Saluda River and is home to countless native plant and animal species.

Birds and Windows

As many as one billion birds die each year in the United States due to collisions with windows. Birds can’t see glass and instead see the reflected landscape on its mirror-like surface or the open space beyond. Birds fly toward the glass and most collisions prove fatal.

Riverbanks is doing our part to reduce collisions on our campus by making glass more visible to resident and migrating birds. As you explore the park, you may see windows with dots or images, or you may see nothing at all on the glass that you encounter. Before fall migration in 2023, guests will be able to see a large bird-friendly window installation at Riverbanks’ Tuskers restaurant.

Planting with a Purpose

Our natural and built landscapes are critical habitat for native wildlife. Riverbanks staff is particularly passionate about the habitat we create for pollinators, in particular bees. As we create new plantings or enhance our campus, the horticulture team is busy at work selecting native and pollinator-friendly plant species.

Riverbanks is so passionate about planting with a purpose, we have created a variety of resources to help you create critical habitat for wildlife. Learn more.