Consider adding $30, or 30 percent to your contribution, to help secure River Action’s future and another 30 years of riverfront stewardship with a year-end donation.

CLICK HERE to make a tax deductible donation.

In 2014, we’ll celebrate River Action’s 30th anniversary of giving voice and support to ideas and actions which enhance our Mississippi RiverWay in the Quad Cities region.

Our past achievements are the result of people like you who value the river and share the vision to be good stewards of our river environment.

CLICK HERE to download a list of RiverWay improvements over the past 30 years and a member form that can be printed and mailed with your contribution.

A total of 429 species – plants, insects, birds, amphibians, mammals, reptiles and worms – were found during Biodiversity Day at Green Valley Nature Preserve, Moline.

River Action and Augustana College’s Upper Mississippi Studies Center joined forces to discover and document all of the living things at the nature preserve August 31. During the event, members of the public spent the day working alongside scientific experts to identify all of the site’s living things.

With nets and clipboards in tow, members of the public found and identified 189 plant, 123 insect, 97 bird, eight mammal, six amphibian, four reptile and even two worm species.

CLICK HERE to download a complete report of the biodiversity day and a listing of all 429 species identified by participants.

River Action and WVIK 90.3 FM Augustana Public Radio are partnering to offer a new program – "RiverWayStories" – which airs each Saturday at 8:34 a.m. during the station's “Weekend Edition."

The three-minute on-air essays will cover a broad range of river-related topics, including environmental concerns, conservation efforts, history and recreation.

RiverWayStories is a collaboration between River Action and WVIK and is underwritten by the Singh Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.

• April 5: Pelicans and the Mississippi Flyway by Lisa Cleave
• April 12: What Makes and Eddy? by Amy Bandman
• April 19: Sultana by Bailey Johnston
• April 26: 1 Mississippi by Amy Bandman

River Action's QC Wild Places program has received a $20,000 grant each year for the next five years from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend to help fund site improvements, conservation efforts, community outreach and awareness of Wild places in Rock Island County.

This year's funds will be used toward updating the QC Wild Places map and brochure, developing an eco-tourism plan, and site improvements and conservation efforts at Black Hawk State Historic Site and Green Valley Nature Preserve.

QC Wild Places was established in 2011 with the support of the Community Foundation as a way to combine the efforts of local natural areas and their managing organizations in collaboration with River Action and area funders.

Because wilderness areas are run by various organizations with staff and budgets of varying sizes, it is often difficult for them to receive the funding and publicity they need to increase awareness and make improvements. QC Wild Places is a program dedicated to preserving natural areas around the Quad Cities through service, funding, and awareness.

Adopt-a-Path is growing to meet the demands of an expanding trail network in the Quad Cities. This past year, two miles of the Mississippi River Trail was completed through downtown Bettendorf to Riverdale and in Davenport a new bridge was constructed, connecting Credit Island to South Concord Street.

Above photo, Andy Lenaghan and his helper, grandson Dax Leone, keep the bike path near Credit Island clean.

River Action’s Adopt-a-Path program is working to keep the Quad Cities’ recreational trails clean. The volunteer program is an informal agreement whereby citizens, organizations, local businesses and student groups help by picking up trails throughout the year. Volunteers or “Trail Keepers” adopt ½-mile sections of the Mississippi River Trail (IA and IL) and the Duck Creek Recreational Trail. (IA)

The third edition of River Action’s Walking Guide is now available. (Click on above image to download a PDF of the walking guide)

The 44-page pocket-sized guide is a wonderful way to explore the Quad Cities, its neighborhoods, have fun, relax, and spend quality time by yourself or with those you enjoy. River Action invites Quad Citians and out-of-town visitors to experience the simple pleasures and significant benefits of walking and the RiverWay Walking Guide makes it easy to find a scenic walk along the the Mississippi River trails and the Duck Creek Recreational Trail.

Celebrate our Mississippi riverfront trails this Father's Day

River Action's 30th Annual Ride The River! will be Sunday, June 15.
Online registration is now open. CLICK HERE for online registration.

CLICK HERE to download the 2014 Ride the River brochure and registration form.

Or, stop at River Action's office, 822 E. River Drive, Davenport between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays to register.

You also can register during packet pick-up Saturday, June 14 from noon to 4 p.m. at the River Action office, or Sunday, June 15 from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Freight House, Western Ave. and River Dr., Davenport.

2014 ride dedicated to Joe Schadler

This year's Ride The River is dedicated to Joe Schadler, owner and operator of the Mississippi Belle riverboat and long-time ride supporter, who died Feb. 24 at the age of 74. Schadler operated riverboats on the Mississippi River for more than 30 years, starting in the river cruise business with the Queen of Hearts boat and most recently operating Celebration River Cruises with the Celebration Belle riverboat docked in Moline. Schadler's Celebration Belle, now captained by his son Scott, has ferried Ride The River participants from Bettendorf to Moline as part of the event since the boat has been operating in the Quad Cities.

Enjoy a bi-state tour of the Quad Cities along riverfront bike trails and observe the trail development timeline marked by years. Plus, cruise on the Mississippi River on the Celebration Belle Riverboat from Iowa to Illinois or ride across the historic Arsenal Bridge.

Come join the fun with the whole family for this Father’s Day tradition!

All registered kids ages 8-16 will receive a FREE safety light, donated by the Kiwanis Club of Davenport. All registered kids ages 5-7 will receive a FREE bike bell.

If you'd like to volunteer to help with this year's Ride the River, CLICK HERE.

River Action has a full slate of Mississippi River fun planned for 2014. Mark these dates on your calender and keep up to date with us on our Google+ or Facebook pages.

• Fish & Fire Friendraiser/Fundraiser April 25
• Channel Cat Talks & Riverine Walks - Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Ride the River: Father's Day Bicycle Ride June 15
• Floatzilla: Canoe and Kayak floatilla August 16
• Senior Citizen Riverfront Golf Cart Tour September 4
• Taming of the Slough: Mississippi River Adventure Race September 20
• Upper MIssissippi River Conference October 15-17

Interested in volunteering for any of these events? Let us know!

Purchase today and get a free one year subscription to Big River Magazine.

For the past 30 years, River Action members have worked to improve our common RiverWay, encouraging greater access to the riverfront, helping build and expand riverfront recreation trails, protecting endangered habitat and cleaning up the river and RiverWay. Your membership supports the mission of a healthier Mississippi River and more vibrant Quad Cities.

CLICK HERE to choose a membership level.

• Student membership includes: membership card, eddy Magazine and free admission to Riverine Walks.
• Individual membership includes: membership card, eddy Magazine and free admission to Riverine Walks.
• Household membership includes: membership card, eddy Magazine and free admission for all household members to Riverine Walks.
• Business membership includes: business membership card and eddy Magazine.
• Action membership includes: membership card, eddy Magazine, free admission for all household members to Riverine Walks, plus two free admissions to a River Action event (choose one event from Ride the River, Taming of the Slough, Floatzilla or Golf Cart Tour).

Join River Action for our annual Adventure Triathlon! Paddle, mountain bike and run your way to the top. Race individually or as a team, and celebrate at the finish at the post-race party with pizza and Beer.

CLICK HERE for complete race results from Taming of the Slough 2013. Thanks to all who participated and everyone who volunteered to make Taming a success.

Click on image to view larger map
 
CLICK HERE to download the 2013 Taming of the Slough – Campbell's Island Slough Edition brochure and registration form.

Online Registration coming soon!