A Carolina Wildlife Garden featuring South Carolina natural and cultural history is now officially open at the South Carolina State Museum.
The museum hosted a ribbon cutting August 29 to publicly launch the new educational garden, envisioned and brought to life by Planting South Carolina’s Roots, an initiative of a Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) Spring 2026 Class cohort in partnership with the State Museum and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation.
“This garden grew out of our desire to create a permanent native habitat that would welcome visitors to the State Museum and educate them about plants native to South Carolina that support pollination and wildlife,” said Amy Bartow-Melia, South Carolina State Museum executive director and member of the Riley Institute DLI Planting South Carolina Roots cohort. “We hope the garden inspires visitors to cultivate a greater diversity of native plants in their own gardens.”
To help young gardeners start their own native gardens, the Planting South Carolina’s Roots also provided seeds and planting kits to the 300 participants in the State Museum’s summer camps. With ongoing financial support, school groups visiting the museum will continue to receive seeds and planting kits to encourage curiosity, responsibility and a lasting appreciation of South Carolina’s unique natural heritage.
For inspiration, visitors can see native plants like Yellow Jessamine, Frog Fruit, Phlox, and Butterfly Weed in the Carolina Wildlife Garden just as they enter the South Carolina State Museum parking lot from Gervais Street. The garden was planted in May 2026 with the help of Girl Scout Troop 1630 and the Future Farmers of America Chapter at Lexington-Richland 5 using a design developed by landscape gardener Dr. Lisa Kershaw and with financial support from Skyla Credit Union and Elrod Pope Law Firm.
“This Carolina Wildlife Garden embodies the spirit of the community coming together to plant living and lasting roots that will continue to grow and flourish for all of us to enjoy and learn from for many years to come,” said Richland County Council Chair Jesica Mackey, who helped cut the ribbon officially opening the garden.
The garden is already actively attracting wildlife. Since the May planting, museum staff have documented 22 species of insects visiting the garden including beetles, butterflies, dragonflies and bees. Last year, the City of Columbia affiliated with Bee City USA to encourage improving local landscapes for pollinators, and this Carolina Wildlife Garden is doing just that.
The South Carolina Wildlife Federation also recognized the project during the ribbon cutting ceremony, designating the garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
“We are excited that the State Museum is now home to a wildlife garden that is already a habitat for a variety of creatures,” said Sara Green, executive director of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. “The location of this garden is ideal to help thousands of visitors who come to the museum each year learn more about how they can foster similar wildlife gardens at home.”
The Carolina Wildlife Garden will serve as a living classroom and a statewide resource to provide students, educators, families and community organizations with opportunities to engage in the exploration of conservation, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship.
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