Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is bringing back free Fridays for residents of Richland and Lexington counties starting Jan. 3.

Residents of both counties can receive free general daytime admission every Friday in January and February. To qualify, visitors must provide proof of residency, such as a valid South Carolina photo ID, property tax statement or vehicle registration. The zoo says this initiative is a way to thank the community.

Established in 1974 and located at 500 Wildlife Pkwy. in Columbia, Riverbanks Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and over 5,7000 varieties of plants. The zoo attracts more than 1 million visitors annually and features 170 acres of exhibits, scenic river views and historic landmarks.

Winter hours, effective until Jan. 12, are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Starting Jan. 13, the zoo will return to regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the zoo, visit https://www.riverbanks.org.