We promote awareness and adoption of sustainable practices that enhance the Mississippi River and our shared RiverWay environment
Rock Island Conservation Consortium
In 2011, as a subset of the QC Wild Places coalition, River Action formed the Rock Island County Conservation Consortium to bring together practitioners, municipal, county, state and federal representatives, and environmental experts to develop approaches for improving coordination and conservation in Rock Island County, particularly at Wild Places sites. Cumulatively, since 2011, River Action has received $190,000 from the Quad Cities Community Foundation's ComuunityWorks Endowment Fund. With this funding, River Action has completed over $1.5 million worth of conservation projects in Rock Island County.
Scott County Conservation Consortium
Following the success of the Rock Island County Conservation Consortium, River Action formed the Scott County Conservation Consortium in 2017 to mirror the funding strategies and projects completed in Rock Island County. There was a need to bring conservationists together in Scott County and to leverage funding to create watershed-based conservation practices. Funding for the 2018 SCCC projects was provided by the Quad Cities Community Foundation's Challenge Grant and Arconic. In the first year of the program, we received $45,000 from donors and completed over $360,000 of conservation work in Scott County.
Nahant Marsh
Nahant Marsh in west Davenport is one of the largest urban wetlands along the Mississippi River corridor.
Nahant Marsh in west Davenport is comprised of 260 acres of protected lands and waters. Thanks to conservation efforts begun by River Action, the natural wetland has been cleaned off lead contamination and now provides valuable native habitat for hundreds of species, such as the Northern Leopard Frog and the Blandings Turtle. Take a stroll around the dock, boardwalk and trails within the ecological area to get a firsthand look into the diverse wildlife of a wetland. Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
One Watershed
River Action assisted Illinois Quad Cities communities in development of a comprehensive watershed management plan to help improve water quality and prevent erosion along creeks and streams draining into the Rock and Mississippi Rivers.
Biodiversity Days
Biologist identify plants, animals and insects during a "biodiversity day" event organized by River Action at Green Valley Nature Preserve in Moline.
River Action also participated in a "bio-blitz" at Milan Bottoms Nature Preserve to identify and catalog various fish, birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants in the protected area.
Green Roofs
The green roof installed atop the McKesson Building in downtown Rock Island.
The green roof installed atop the new Davenport Police Department building.
