South Carolina’s lawmakers must step up to support the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on our nation and world; individuals, families and businesses have suffered — and many continue to suffer.

This holds true for our treasured Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

The impact of coronavirus on Riverbanks has been dire.

In addition no federal, state or local relief funding — including the Paycheck Protection Program — is available to assist with the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s financial strains.

I implore our state legislators to help protect our Zoo!

Troubling current trend

During its 46-year history Riverbanks has never before asked for help from our General Assembly.

However, the current trend jeopardizes the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s role in our state and local communities.

Riverbanks reopened to members and guests in late May following an unprecedented 67-day closure during the Zoo’s busiest time of year.

During a typical spring season, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden generates more than one-third of its total revenue.

In addition the Zoo has sustained a loss in public support as Lexington and Richland counties contend with financial setbacks.

An economic engine

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is South Carolina’s largest gated tourist attraction and one of America’s best zoos and public gardens.

That’s why we all depend on Riverbanks as a powerful economic engine: it welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year and pumps more than $140 million into our local economy.

Few people get to travel the world, but Riverbanks Zoo and Garden gives everyone from all walks of life the opportunity to experience the world and its natural beauty.

I take great pride in serving as president of the Riverbanks Society Board, which represents nearly 160,000 individual members who are dedicated to the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s success.

Member support has been a fundamental factor in Riverbanks’ success, and now more than ever we depend on our members to help the Zoo through these challenging times.

General Assembly support needed

But members of General Assembly, the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden needs you, too.

The fact is that so many people rely on the Zoo.

I know that many of you reading this have long supported Riverbanks; some of you have done so since the early days when the Zoo also stood on financially fragile ground.

The community rallied then to protect Riverbanks.

Now I ask that our elected representatives acknowledge what our community already knows: Riverbanks is a treasure and must be protected.

Legislators, please join us and support Riverbanks so that our Zoo can continue to protect wildlife, drive tourism, strengthen our economy and enhance the quality of life in our community and state.

Susan Keenan is president of the Riverbanks Society Board.