News Summary
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia is celebrating its 50th anniversary alongside the 30th anniversary of the Botanical Garden. Festivities on June 7 will include live music, food trucks, and exciting activities. A new baby wallaby adds joy to the celebrations, symbolizing new beginnings and family connections. The event aims to inspire visitors and deepen their connection to nature, offering a fun-filled experience for families and nature enthusiasts alike.
Spring Blooms with Excitement at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Columbia is buzzing with excitement as the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden celebrates a remarkable milestone this year. Yes, that’s right! They are ringing in their 50th anniversary with a variety of *fun-filled events and activities* that will sprinkle joy and connection to nature throughout the spring season. Not only that, but this year also marks the *30th anniversary* of the Riverbanks Botanical Garden, making this celebration double the fun!
Connecting Families and Nature
The excitement isn’t just for show; the events lined up are designed to *inspire visitors and deepen their connections* with the natural world. The zoo’s leadership, including the *president and CEO*, want everyone to know how important this place is for families and conservation enthusiasts alike. They are passionate about bringing communities together to celebrate wildlife and the environment.
A Day Full of Celebration
Mark your calendars for June 7, as Riverbanks Botanical Garden will host a grand milestone celebration. The festivities will include *live music*, a lineup of *delicious food trucks*, engaging *horticultural demonstrations*, and a lively *Goosechase scavenger hunt*. And yes, there will be fun *giveaways*! With all these activities inspired by Earth Day, the event promises to strengthen visitors’ ties to the wondrous world of nature.
Meet the Adorable Joey!
In true spring fashion, the zoo is already nurturing new life! Just recently, visitors were treated to the cutest sight: a baby Tammar wallaby peeking out from its mother’s pouch for the very first time! This little joey is around four months old and is a testament to the joy of new beginnings in the zoo. Fun fact: baby Tammar wallabies are born the size of a jellybean and spend about eight to nine months developing within their mother’s pouch. Isn’t that adorable?
The zoo’s curator of mammals shared exciting details about the developing joey, explaining that it will continue to grow, develop soft fur, and gain curiosity as it prepares for short outings from the pouch—which will start happening in about a month!
Expecting More New Faces
The joey’s parents, Simone and Bandit, found their home at Riverbanks in 2023 specifically to expand their family, and what a joy it is to witness it all unfold right before our eyes.
Engaging the Next Generation
In addition to the celebrations, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is committed to *educating and inspiring youth through conservation biology*. Middle school students can register for the popular ZooCrew program that offers hands-on experience through exciting research projects. Interested young conservationists can start submitting their registration on July 15, so be ready to mark that date!
Join the Fun!
This spring, whether you’re an animal lover, a nature enthusiast, or just someone looking for a fun day out, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden has something special in store. The 50th anniversary events promise to be an immersive experience full of *joy, laughter, and a chance to create lasting memories*. So grab your family and friends and get involved in the vibrant activities—after all, there’s no better way to connect with nature than right here in Columbia!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Columbia Regional Business Report
- Wikipedia: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
- Columbia Business Report
- Google Search: conservation biology
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tammar wallaby
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
