Volume 8, Issue 4 | November/December/January 2018-19
A PUBLICATION OF RIVER ACTION, INC. www.riveraction.org
Connecting people to the river
Youth Matters!
Exposing Students to Environmental Art Engaging Students in the Importance of our Environment
Mary Miss, Founder & Executive Director of City as Living Laboratory Inside: - Building River Stewards - Buddying Up - Inspiring Intern - And much more. . .
Non Profit Org. US Postage PAID Montezuma, IA Permit No. 30
PUBLISHER’S LET TER
Remembering Paddy
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November/December/January 2018-19 Volume 8 Issue 4 _______
KATHY WINE, Publisher / Executive Director BETH CLARK, Managing Editor, Milepost Ventures, LLC. JEFF VanECHAUTE/pi design, inc., Design APRIL KLECKNER, Calendar Editor
Printing Services SUTHERLAND PRINTING © eddy Magazine and River Action, Inc., all rights reserved, 2018. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without express, written permission, is prohibited. The views expressed herein, whether expressed as fact, fiction, opinion, advice or otherwise are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of this magazine. This magazine is sold with the understanding that neither it, nor River Action, Inc., its owners or managers, are engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, medical, technical, or any other advice, professional or otherwise. The publication of any advertisement does not reflect the endorsement of any products or services by the ownership or management of this magazine unless it is specifically stated in such advertisement and there is written approval for such endorsement. Those submitting manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material to eddy Magazine for consideration should not send originals. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and other submitted materials must be accompanied by a self addressed, postage paid envelope in return of materials is requested. Return of materials is not guaranteed. eddy Magazine is published quarterly by River Action, Inc., 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803 and is direct mailed to approximately 6,000 area homes and businesses.
advocate, Paddy Blackman died
September 8. She was a vital part of River Action and will be greatly missed by us
I remember the 1983 Year of the River, and, as President of the Junior League, Paddy’s enthusiastic support. She enlisted me in the effort along with twenty five other volunteers in the celebration we branded “Joined By A River”. Co-sponsored by the Quad Cities Chambers of Commerce, in January, we pitched a tee pee on the tip of Arsenal Island, served cocoa and chili and welcomed the public to view eagles with borrowed scopes from area birders. That gives you an idea of how much fun we had! We followed it with “Mark Twain in Person”, Regatta at Lindsay Park Yacht Club, Dream of the River in the Year 2000 displays, and more. After that, Paddy, Pris Parkhurst, and I started River Action. When deciding on a name, Paddy smiled, “We are about the river and taking action, so we should be River Action!” Right! She continued to be a touchstone throughout the years as a co-director and board member. On the Eddy Awards jury, she assured selections reflected the diversity and complexity of all the Quad Cities, and, true to our mission, wanted to award An excellent writer, she stepped up to compose the application for American Heritage Rivers — Upper Mississippi Quad Cities, a document we use today. As a longtime member of the Levee Improvement Commission, she championed well-designed
To Advertise: Contact Beth Clark 309-269-3455 or contact Deb Girard at debgirard@hotmail.com. For rates, ad dimensions and deadline information email BethC@ milepostventures.com
Anne and River Action are doing this fall. If you would
Johnson, close friend and running partner, said each remarked while running, “When I die, you should put a bench on the riverfront trail for me.” That is what like to contribute to her memorial bench, contact River Action. Because she was a long time marathoner, we thought she would win the longest of marathons. However, it turns out that her life was a spectacular sprint, and we were fortunate spectators.
Youth Matters 4 Building River Stewards 5 Buddying Up - Kids and Cops by Noah Truesdell
6 Osprey Nests by Laura Morris
6 Plan Ahead - Teach Kids the
Importance of Pollinators by Kathy Wine
7 Davenport West – Water Project
riverfront development and public access. Anne
Our Mission: River Action strives to foster the environmental, economic, and cultural vitality of the Mississippi River and its riverfront in the Quad City region.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
by Laura Morris
projects and programs that have a positive effect.
eddy Magazine Published by River Action, Inc. 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803 563-322-2969 www.riveraction.org
To Subscribe or become a member of River Action: call 563-322-2969 or visit www.riveraction.org
Kathy Wine
and the Quad Cities community.
Contributing Writers LAURA MORRIS, River Action Staff NOAH TRUESDELL, River Action Staff KATHY WINE, River Action Staff CAROL DOWNEY, River Action Staff Contributing Photographers RIVER ACTION STAFF JEFF COOK MADELINE KULL STOCK: INGIMAGE.com
o-founder and long-time river
by Noah Truesdell
8 Inspiring Intern – Morgan Anderson by Kathy Wine
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Exposing Students to Environmental Art by Kathy Wine
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Upper Mississippi River Conference Flood Resiliency and Floodplain Management by Carol Downey
12 eddy Calendar:
November, December, January by April Kleckner
November/December/January 2018-19 | eddy Magazine
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YOUTH MATTERS!
Building River Stewards F
— by Laura Morris
or 34 years River Action has educated people in the QC about the river’s history and ecology, and collaborated with public and private local partners in two states, fifteen communities and eight counties to develop and implement projects and programs that provide opportunities to protect and celebrate the Mississippi River. River Action’s mission involves fostering an appreciation for our natural areas through educational and recreational events. We offer hands-on, environmental programs to youth in the Quad Cities to instill this appreciation for our natural areas. In 2011, River Action began the Quad City Explorers program as a part of the QC Wild Places initiative. Kids thirteen and under can visit three QC Wild Places, totaling 66 natural areas in eight counties within an hour’s drive of the Quad Cities, to become a Quad City Explorer. Documentation of a photo of the participant near a recognizable site feature earns a QC Wild Places hat and a certificate recognizing the child’s explorer status. In 2015, the program expanded to include our Citizen Science program. It offers field trips that allow students to learn about the importance of natural resources, watersheds, water quality, and citizen science. River Action provides busing for 4th-6th grade classes to visit a natural area near their school. We’ve taken students to Lost Grove Lake, Green Valley Nature Preserve, Hennepin Canal, and most recently to Sylvan Island. Each trip begins with a guided nature walk and lessons about natural resources, human impact on the landscape, restoration practices, and the site. Students are then taught how watersheds relate to the water quality of the site and to conduct water quality testing. Sylvan Island Explore and Restore In July of 2018, River Action used Sylvan Island, a 37-acre urban island park in the Mississippi River connected to Illinois by a bike and pedestrian bridge, to introduce inner city kids to the natural roots of the area. Because the island was closed to hikers and bicyclists for the past four years while
The Moline Boys & Girls Club of The Mississippi Valley and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center participated in our Sylvan Island Explore and Restore program in July 2018. They received binoculars, field notebooks, and hats as a part of this education program.
the bridge was being replaced, many were encouraged to return, finding it a bit wilder than remembered, or visit and explore for the first time. Partnering with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Rock Island, the Boys and Girls Club in the Floreciente neighborhood of Moline, and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend’s (CFGRB) Teens for Tomorrow program, River Action brought groups of youth to explore and give something back to Sylvan Island. Each student group was led by River Action staff as they learned about biodiversity, wildlife, stewardship, ecological restoration, the geological history of the island, and water quality of the Mississippi River. Equipped with binoculars and field notebooks provided with funding from the CFGRB Teens for Tomorrow program, each was encouraged to identify birds, plants, trees, and historic remnants of the industry which occupied the island in the early 20th century. This hands-on program had participants test the water quality of the Sylvan Slough and participate in a wildlife scavenger hunt. If you are interested in River Action giving one of these programs in 2019 to your group, please reach out to us.
Below: River Action offers Citizen Science programs for youth in the Quad Cities. These participants are using binoculars to discover the wildlife around them.
Students huddle around a toad that was found on one of River Action’s Citizen Science programs.
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YOUTH MATTERS!
Buddying-Up Kids and Cops — By Noah Truesdell
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n August 18, our Cops, Kids, Kayaks & Canoes program took to the water at Lake Potter to take part in Floatzilla. At-risk teens who participated in the program came from Scott and Rock Island counties. River Action had boats reserved for the group to use
in the event. Once gathered, they met their police officer buddies and took to the lake. All 25 had a great time at our biggest Floatzilla yet! To prepare, on July 30, River Action organized a paddling class. The staff from the Wapsi River Environmental Education Center brought boats, taught kids river safety, and how to handle themselves in both kayaks and canoes. River Action passed out lifejackets with
the Floatzilla logo to each to use in the class and keep for future paddling adventures. The Cops, Kids, Kayaks & Canoes program sought to introduce kids to paddling and provide youth an opportunity to interact with law enforcement officers in a fun environment. After receiving funding from the Scott County Regional Authority, the Rock Island Community Foundation, and the Roy E. Murray Foundation Fund, we started recruiting kids and officers. Sgt. Eric Gruenhagen, Davenport Police Department, was the first to get excited about the program and took it upon himself to spread the word through his department and other organizations. Joyce Clopp, Director of Hope at the Brick House, wrote, “It was great to watch all the kids who got to participate. You provided a great life experience for them. ” We are encouraged to expand the program in 2019!
November/December/January 2018-19 | eddy Magazine
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YOUTH MATTERS!
Special Section: Ospreys!
Plan ahead: Teach kids the importance of
Pollinators Guests enjoy an up close look at butterflies in the Family Museum Butterfly Gazebo.
— by Kathy Wine
Left: Osprey platforms were installed at Nahant Marsh, Lost Grove Lake, West Lake Park, and Credit Island this fall. MidAmerican Energy, the City of Eldridge, and Scott County Regional Authority contributed to make these habitat structures stand tall. (Photo by Madeline Kull) Right: MidAmerican Energy employees installed the osprey platforms for River Action. They have the two beams that will act as support to the osprey nest in the lift. These structures will provide habitat to the osprey, which have recently been sighted in the Quad City area.
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ike anything else in life, it helps to know what you want and when you’ll need it. It is gratifying and worth noting that a number of organizations are educating the next generation on the importance of pollinators in our environment, especially at a time when populations are on the decline, and we need to know how to sustain these beautiful garden guests. The Putnam Museum with ISU Scott County Extension Master Gardeners hosted Pollinators’ Palooza on May 19, 2018, which was an opportunity for the museum to present exhibits and craft activities for children. In addition, it showcased the museum’s Pollinator Garden “which is in its second year and is an official Monarch Waystation,” Director Kim Findlay beamed. Throughout the day, celebrities read books about nature and pollinators to children. In June, 2018, the Butterfly Gazebo opened at the Family Museum in Bettendorf. Museum director Kim Kidwell reports that volunteers from WHBF Channel 4 and its parent company, Nextar, in search of a project for its Founders Day of Caring, approached the museum about a project. The gazebo had long been a dream, and the timing could not have been more perfect because, at the time, it was hosting an exhibit which invites children to touch and explore caterpillar and butterfly themed displays. Come next spring, museum guests will be able to enter the gazebo for a closer look after an interior structure with a half-wall and a screened area is complete. Kids can also view caterpillars becoming butterflies at the Quad City Botanical Center. It recently opened a “bigger and better” viewing container in its lobby. The center was packed with caterpillars and eggs in July, as well as plenty of monarchs and other pollinators enjoying the gardens. In addition to those grown on site, the center receives caterpillars and eggs from area residents. With funds from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation, the center is in the process of creating a pollinator garden. On September 15, Nahant Marsh held its Monarch Release Party, an annual event that showcases the marsh as a sanctuary for the struggling butterfly species and helps the public understand how each of us can give them a helping hand.
YOUTH MATTERS!
Zach Drumm, Dalton Carstens, Blake Klemme, Huy Tran. Students seal a PVC cap for a filtration test.
West High INSPIRE Project: The Kenya Water Initiative
Huy Tran, Piper Hein, Danny Cao. Huy holds the piping system for a slow sand filter that will be inserted into the River Action rain barrel. Danny holds a small scale filtration system.
— by Noah Truesdell
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tudents from Davenport West High School’s INSPIRE Career Education Academy have been working with Fishers of Men Ministries, a non-profit organization in Davenport, to bring clean water to the people of Kenya. The president of Fishers of Men, Pastor Joshua Ngoa, founded the organization in Kenya in 1994 to establish churches to meet people’s spiritual needs, schools so that poor children could receive an education, and orphanages to provide homes to orphans and needy children in Kenya. The Davenport branch of the organization serves as its international headquarters. He established Davenport as the international HQ after moving here in 1999. One of the major problems facing Kenya is death and serious illness as a result of drinking water from underdeveloped water systems. As part of its mission, Fishers of Men have dug 16 wells in rural areas of Kenya. Ngoa first connected with West High School through a Kenyan exchange student
who studied there in 2012. Fishers of Men Ministries were trying to get a well built at the time and West High School donated $3,000 to the project. Ngoa wanted to continue to work with West High. Students from the INSPIRE engineering program traveled to Kenya to showcase NXT robotic equipment and promote STEM education. Students continue to find ways they could help the people of Kenya. Ngoa told them of the dire situation with the water crisis and the students got to work. The student team, led by Zak Keel and Alexa Christiansen and advised by West High School teacher Jason Franzenburg, is using River Action rain barrels to build a prototype water filter to be used at wells in Kenya. In order for the project to be feasible, they must create a filter using materials that are readily available in rural Kenya, so that they can be affordably built and maintained by the local population. The barrel is split into two chambers. Water enters the barrel through the lid where it is captured
in the first chamber. In the first chamber it is evenly dispersed into the second chamber by a perforated platform. The second chamber contains multiple layers that filter the water. The first layer is a Schmutzdecke Layer, where bacteria and other microorganisms are filtered from the water. Then it goes through several other layers ranging from smallest to largest grain: fine sand, coarse sand, pea gravel, and river rock. The water then flows through an up pipe to a spigot where it is stored in a holding tank. The final proposed system will have various stages consisting of sand, porous clay, charcoal, biological layers, and UV light purification. Version one will be deployed in Kenya in January, where it will be tested and refined. July 2019, is the scheduled date for deployment of version two. The goal of the project is to spread a low-cost water filtration system that is able to be maintained by the local population to countries in need. Since 2016, 67 students have worked on this project at West High School. So far the project has been funded by student-led fundraisers. In October, the team working on the project was selected as the recipient of one of only fifteen grants from the Lemelson MIT Foundation. They will be one of the InvenTeams participating in Eureka Fest at MIT next spring. The team is currently fundraising for their trip to MIT in the spring, and the INSPIRE program is seeking sponsors and mentors for students in the program. If you are interested in donating or becoming a sponsor or mentor, contact Jason Franzenburg at franzenburgj@ davenport.k12.ia.us. November/December/January 2018-19 | eddy Magazine
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YOUTH MATTERS!
Inspiring Intern. Inspiring Volunteerism.
Morgan Anderson: — By Kathy Wine
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organ Anderson, a sophomore at Augustana College and River Action intern from April to August, 2018, found herself immersed in group facilitation at our Big Table discussion on Sylvan Island, event coordination and volunteer recruitment for Ride the River and Floatzilla, educating and leading 5th graders from the Martin Luther King Center and the Boys and Girls club in the QC Explorers program on Sylvan Island, assisting with QC Wild Places conservation website updates, and a great deal of day-to-day office work. She found herself reaching out to Augustana classmates to get their involvement, and that left an even larger legacy at Augustana as well as here at River Action. As a member of a social sorority on the campus, she believed its mission of passion, leadership, and respect fit nicely with the Greek Life goal of dedication to service; therefore, it fit into River Action’s events and opportunities for service. She found among her fellow students, participants for the Big Table, volunteers to help with the kids’ games in LeClaire Park on Ride the River, a team from the Augie Sierra Club, the Augie Rowing Team, and Zeta Phi sorority to paddle downriver with Floatzilla, and took our message to Mercado on Fifth in Moline on Friday evenings. Morgan contacted and coordinated about 250 volunteers during the 2018 event season, which was a huge contribution to the success of our events. She attended all board meetings, made her
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television debut on Paula Sands Live, KWQC, to promote Ride the River, and her radio debut writing and recording RiverWay Stories on WVIK Quad Cities. She held the title of Event Coordinator quite appropriately, and besides being grateful for the internship experience, she concluded, “Not only was I part of an amazing team, but I also was part of the River Action family.” This summer, Morgan had a paid internship, supported in part with funds from Scott County and the Community Works endowment Fund. This is not common among non-profits, because most non-profits offer unpaid internships. In fact, River Action has offered many of those, too. But the value of a paid internship is in recognizing the great benefit of having highly educated students fill temporary hiring needs, especially, as in River Action’s case, during the summer. We were looking for accountability to the job and a desire to learn about the environmental non-profit sector. At the same time, we helped Morgan get valuable work experience prior to graduation, gain knowledge and skills before entering the job market, and hopefully help put her on par or ahead of her competition. Morgan’s enthusiasm comes from her need to start an adventure, she says. This drive will serve her well in life as it has here at River Action, and we wish her well in her next adventure as an intern in New Zealand during spring term.
YOUTH MATTERS!
Morgan delighted children at Ride the River with her “Bubbleteering.”
November/December/January 2018-19 | eddy Magazine
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YOUTH MATTERS!
— By Kathy Wine collaboration
Exposing Students to
Environmental Art
— By Kathy Wine
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hallenged to stretch their creativity, art and biology scholars from area high schools worked with Mary Miss, Founder and Executive Director of City as Living Laboratory, New York City, at an environmental art workshop at Bettendorf High School, October 26. Following her presentation at the Upper Mississippi River Conference, they were tasked with finding a watershed issue that would pair scientific findings with public art and potentially change people’s behaviors to make the river and community more resilient. Earlier, on October 20, research assistance was given by biologist Jon Duyvejonck, US Fish & Wildlife, on what community stewardship means. Students took part in a day of preparation at Quad City Arts and went on a Duyvejonck-led field trip to the river. He has always provided advisory services to state and city officials, non-profits, businesses, and the public, and the introductory state of the river report prepared them. No apathy there, they tackled long term issues such as climate change. Because the entire exercise was about thinking ahead, they considered: flooding with a focus on prevention and loss as well as floodplain restoration; safety with a focus on awareness and prevention; dredging with a focus on increased use of dredge materials; nutrient management with a focus on reduction of nutrients and the need for clean water;
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Top: Ava Abbott, Community Conservation Club president, Bettendorf High School, presented her environmental art proposal at the Student Workshop led by Mary Miss, City as Living Laboratory. Above: Spencer Mesick, environmental science teacher, Bettendorf High School, led research into the Mississippi’s environmental issues and assisted each student with his/her art proposal. (Photos by Jeff Cook)
and storm water management with a focus on best practices. Huge challenges, all, but students embraced them. Aiming to integrate art and science into people’s lives, Miss has done so with her WaterMarks installation in Milwaukee. With broad collaboration throughout the city, she is proposing the lighting of the city’s smokestacks with color; the color will indicate how citizens should use water whether at times of high water or low. The workshop, funded by Chris and Mary Rayburn, with support from River Action and Quad City Arts, empowered young people and provided opportunities to learn the science behind river resiliency. It culminated with an approach for a future environmental art project. A second design phase will be developed during the next Mary Miss visit later in 2018. At that time, we will work further on the junction of built and natural environments, and how they can affect our future.
YOUTH MATTERS!
Flood Resiliency and Floodplain Management Focus of 2018 Conference
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER CONFERENCE — By Carol Downey
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ven as the flood waters from the fourth flood event of 2018 receded on the nearby Mississippi and Rock Rivers in Moline, River stakeholders gathered to learn about critical issues facing the upper Mississippi River watershed. Keynote speakers Dr. Gerry Galloway and Chad Berginnis looked back to the great flood of 1993 and ahead to shaping flood policy on a national level. Artist Mary Miss helped attendees to see current river-related environmental issues through a more creative lens as a way to engage the public in high profile environmental hot spots with outdoor art/science installations. Plenary speakers Col. Bryan Sizemore and Mike Sutfin focused attention on water resource management, on a national/international level, and then closer to home on a local level. Speakers from various river-related disciplines engaged their audiences on floodplain management, flood damage mitigation strategies, and calculating the high dollar losses avoided by changing flood risk management policies. Water quality researchers and experts discussed the benefits of managing farm nutrient runoff to the biodiversity of river life. A panel of representatives from the five upper Mississippi River states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri discussed their cities’ current efforts and strategies to living with the river, rather than focusing solely on fighting intermittent rising waters. A number of adventurous conference-goers boarded buses for tours of successful floodplain management projects, both urban and rural. Green Island nutrient management project at the confluence of the Mississippi and Maquoketa Rivers near Bellevue, Iowa was the destination for one group. Another viewed successful urban storm water management practices in nearby Rock Island and Carbon Cliff, Ill. A third tour traveled to the Copperas Creek watershed in rural Illinois City, Edgington and Taylor Ridge to see best management practices for nutrient runoff reduction being used by farmers in western Illinois. Live demonstrations of stream flow and flood level monitoring equipment were shown at an afternoon workshop. Capping off the conference was a workshop instructing attendees on how to take some preliminary steps toward making the greater Quad Cities region more flood-resilient. Many river towns on both sides of the Mississippi sent representatives to learn how to pool resources, change flood management policies and finding ways to reduce flood insurance costs. City officials of all stripes from Riverdale, Muscatine, Davenport, and Bettendorf, Iowa and from the Illinois side, Moline, Rock Island, Port Byron, Rapids City, Milan, and Coal Valley were among those represented, intent on learning how to better manage living with the rivers in our watershed. Flood resiliency experts from the Illinois Valley Flood Resiliency Alliance and the Iowa Watershed Approach Flood Resilience programs presented an interactive program. Attendees were challenged to take the necessary steps to create a functional Quad Cities Flood Resiliency Alliance.
Hydrologists from the Central Midwest Science Center demonstrate how they take water quality and flow measurements. Pictured are Gary Johnson, Operations Coordinator, Skylar Smith, Hydrologic Technician, and Clint Bailey, Hydrologist.
Right: River Action welcomed 175 participants October 24, at the Stoney Creek Conference Center; speakers challenged them to work together for healthy waters and flood-resilient communities. November/December/January 2018-19 | eddy Magazine
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November
Nahant Marsh: Breakfast Nature Club – Bird Migration
Nov 2, 8-9 am, Nahant Marsh Education Center, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, nahantmarsh.org Explore the common ducks and other waterfowl who visit the Marsh on their journey south. $5 suggested donation.
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eddy C A L E N D A R Nahant Marsh: Nature Hike
Nov 3, 9-10 am, Nahant Marsh Education Center, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, nahantmarsh.org Join a Naturalist for a guided hike along the trails and experience the environmental changes as plants and wildlife adapt to the seasons. $5 suggested donation.
December
Fall Wild Edible Workshop
Nov 3, 10 am-12 pm, Wapsi River Environmental. Education Center, 31555 52nd Ave, Dixon Join Naturalist Becky Baugh to learn about the many wild edibles in your own neck of the woods. We will focus on identifying plants, foraging basics, and preparing wild edibles.
Renewable Energy: Greener Earth = Green in Your Pocket
Nov 9, 9:00 am-2:00 pm Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave, Rock Island, pacgqc.org Meet energy experts and community leaders. Learn about energy savings and financial incentives. Explore energy options with exhibitors. Free.
Breakfast with the Bald Eagle and Veterans
Nov 10, 8:30-10 am, Niabi Zoo, 13010 Niabi Zoo Rd, Coal Valley, niabizoo.com Celebrate our Veterans with our national symbol, the Bald Eagle. Learn about the efforts that saved the Bald Eagle from extinction in this conservation success story. $20 Members, $25 Non-members, $10 Veterans.
Christmas at Augustana
Quad City Arts Festival of Trees
Nov 15-25, RiverCenter, 136 E. 3rd St, Davenport, qcfestivaloftrees.com A winter wonderland featuring over 150 designer displays. Special attractions include the Festival Express train, Gingerbread Village, Tinsel Treasures Gift Shop, High School Art Exhibit, CenterStage Entertainment, Reindeer Games Children’s Activity Center, and Santa’s Throne!
Natural Ornaments Crafting Class
Nahant Marsh: Nature Hike
Dec 1, 9-10 am, Nahant Marsh Education Center, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, nahantmarsh.org Join a Naturalist for a guided hike along the trails and experience the environmental changes as plants and wildlife adapt to the seasons. $5 suggested donation.
Winterfest
Dec 2, 12-5 pm, Family Museum, 2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, familymuseum.org Many fun and wintry activities for all ages! Free admission with food pantry donation.
Nahant Marsh: Breakfast Nature Club – Winter Wildlife
Festival of Trees Holiday Parade
Nov 17, 10 am, 331 W. 3rd St, Downtown Davenport, quadcityarts.com/festivaloftrees All new balloons this year for the parade’s 25th Anniversary! Experience the largest helium balloon parade in the Midwest. Live marching bands, large character balloons, and more.
Dec 1, 2 pm, Centennial Hall, Augustana College,3703 7th Ave, Rock Island, augustana.edu The Augustana Symphony Orchestra joins the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Choir, Augustana Concert Chorale and Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble in a celebration of the holiday season. Tickets: $21, senior citizens $16, students $11.
River Action’s Environmental Book Club
Nov 27, 7 pm, River Action Office, 822 E. River Dr, Davenport, 563-322-2969, riveraction.org Discuss How to Read Water: Clues and Patterns from Puddles to the Sea by Tristan Gooley. Free and open to the public.
Dec 7, 8-9 am, Nahant Marsh Education Center, 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, nahantmarsh.org Snuggle in for this morning talk on how animals survive winter. $5 suggested donation.
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Nov 17, 10 am-12 pm, Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, 31555 52nd Ave, Dixon
Lighting on John Deere Commons
Nov 17, 3:30-6 pm, 1201 River Dr, Moline, lightingonthecommons.com Kick off the holiday season in downtown Moline. Attractions include Santa & Mrs. Claus, tractor-drawn wagon rides, live music featuring the Moline Boys Choir and Community Outreach, a children’s craft area and the lighting ceremony and fireworks.
Crafting for Conservation: Natural Ornaments
Nov 17, 10 am, Wapsi River Center, 31555 52nd Ave, Dixon, IA Join naturalist Paige Ehrecke in this Crafting for Conservation Series. Meet a live owl and make naturalthemed ornaments and decorations. Supplies provided. Participants must register by calling 563-328-3286.
How to Identify and Feed Your Winter Birds
Nov 17, 9:30-11 am, Singing Bird Center, Black Hawk State Historic Site, 1510 46th Ave, Rock Island, www. blackhawkpark.org Naturalist, Bob Motz, will help you identify birds common to our winter feeders and show the types of foods that attract a variety of winter birds. Binoculars provided.
Quad City Audubon Society’s Lock & Dam 13 Field Trip Nov 18, 7 am, Brothers Restaurant, 1718 2nd Ave, Rapids City, quadcityaudubon.org Meet in the restaurant parking lot to join the group and watch for waterfowl. Free admission.
Holiday at the Village
Nov 25, 12-4 pm, Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, 18817 290th St, Long Grove, IA, 563-328-3283 See Santa, enjoy cookies, pioneer games and crafts while listening to music in the church.
November/December/January 2018-19 | eddy Magazine
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January
Christmas Bird Count
Dec 14 through Jan 5, quadcityaudubon.com, Be a part of this annual tally of wild birds. Contact Kelly McKay 309-235-4661 to participate.
Bald Eagle Days
Jan 11-13, QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave, Rock Island, qccaexpocenter.com Live eagle programs and live bird of prey demonstrations. More than 100 display booths with information on outdoors-related organizations. Be sure to stop by River Action’s booth! Adults $6, Children age 6-15 $1.
Crafting for Conservation: Calendar Gift Bags & Magazine Gift Bows Dec 15, 10 am, Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, 31555 52nd Ave, Dixon, IA Join naturalist Becky Baugh making gift bags from old calendars and gift bows from old magazines. Participants are encouraged to bring their own calendars/magazines. Participants must register by calling 563-328-3286.
Quad Cities Farm Show Natural Wreath Class
Dec 15, 1 pm, Wapsi River Environmental Education Center, 31555 52nd Ave, Dixon, IA Join naturalist Michael Granger, making a wreath from grapevine and decorate with natural items. Participants are welcome to bring their own natural items to make their unique wreath. Participants must register by calling 563-328-3286.
Jan 20-22, QCCA Expo Center, 2621 4th Ave, Rock Island, quadcitiesfarmshow.com The only Ag show in the Quad Cities featuring over 200 Ag companies. Free admission.
W OU L D YOU R ATHER S AV E SO ME TREES? You can opt to receive a digital copy each quar ter by email instead. Just drop us an email at riveraction@riveraction.org and let us know!
River Action’s Environmental Book Club
Jan 22, 7 pm, River Action Office, 822 E. River Dr, Davenport, 563-322-2969, riveraction.org River Action and Sierra Club host a monthly environmental book club. The book for January will be published on River Action’s website once selected. The book discussions are free and open to the public.
Please join us throughout 2019 in celebrating River Action’s 35th Anniversary!
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