DAVENPORT, IOWA (June 4, 2025) — What follows is a summer education program that invites the public to learn about the history, ecology, and current happenings along the Mississippi River and surrounding watershed in the Quad Cities area. Participants can cruise the Mississippi River on the Channel Cat Water Taxi or enjoy a leisurely Riverine Walk as expert guides present topics ranging from information about local river wildlife to stories of early Quad Cities history.
There are an abundance of exciting events in this summer’s Explore the River Series lineup that are open for registration from now until Labor Day. Channel Cat Talks cost $20 per person and run Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10:45AM, at the Riverbend Commons in Moline, Illinois. Riverine Walks cost $10 per person and are free for volunteers. They are held on Wednesdays, 6:30-8PM, and Saturdays, 9-10:30AM, at various sites of interest throughout the Quad Cities. The full education schedule can be viewed online at riveraction.org/education.
New This Year:
Bob Bohannon, a Water Quality Chemist, is presenting a Channel Cat Talk about the Water Quality Cycle. He’ll talk about how human activities influence the Mississippi river, our drinking water, and wastewater management, which in turn impacts the health of the river and our communities. Bohannon will also discuss actions citizens can take to help improve our water quality. (August 19 and 21).
We’re featuring a new Riverine Walk at Tapestry Farms with Ann McGlynn (Executive Director, Tapestry Farms) and Alison Niebuhr (Farm Manager). On this Riverine Walk, guests will learn about the importance of sustainable farming for building soil health and feeding our communities. Discover what it takes to run a sustainable farm as they discuss methods like crop rotation, tarping, and cover crops. (July 16 and 19).
Also new this year is a day-tour of the Bee Branch watershed in Dubuque, Iowa, a $249 million dollar watershed project to eliminate flooding in historic neighborhoods, improve water quality, and enhance quality of life within the watershed. This tour is on July 11, 8:30AM–1PM. A bus will depart at 8:30AM from the River Action office (822 E River Drive in Davenport, Iowa).
Tickets are $30, and $25 for members.
2025 Channel Cat Talks
- June 10 and 12 — Raptors Along the River with Dave Murcia: Director, Wapsi River Env. Edu. Center
- June 17 and 19 - RiverCurrents Tour with Ben Schwind: Common Chord Education manager
- June 24 and 26 — Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife with Jon Duyvejonck: US Fish and Wildlife Biologist
- July 8 and 10 — WEDG and Our Mississippi River with Kathy Wine: Executive Director, River Action
- July 15 and 17 — Channel Cat — Behind the Scenes with Jennifer Hirsch (Manager of Administration) and Jake Cassidy (Director of Maintenance)
- July 22 and 24 — Our Unique River Landscape with Professor Norm Moline: Augustana College
- July 29 and 31 — Bix and Friends with Josh Duffee: Musician/Jazz Historian
- August 5 and 7 — Living Lands and Waters — Helping Our River and Community with Andrew Layer: Programs Manager, Living Lands and Waters
- August 12 — History of the USCG Auxiliary and the American Waterway Watch with Charles Brennan: US Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist
- August 14 — Always Ready in the Heartland: a brief history of the US Coast Guard on the Mississippi with Todd Wilkinson: US Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Specialist
- August 19 and 21 — The Water Quality Cycle: River to Faucet to River with Bob Bohannan: Water Quality Chemist
- August 26 and 28 — Gongoozling on the Mississippi with USACE, guided by Josh Hendrix (Geotechnical Engineer) and Anthony Heddlesten USACE Civil Engineer)
- Riverine Walks
- June 11 and 14 — The Cradle of Iowa with Gates Thomas: Professor, Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts
- June 18 and 21 — Land Development and Housing Styles of McClellan Heights Post the Civil War with Matt Johnston: Local McClellan Heights Resident & Historian Hobbyist
- June 25 and 28 — Finding Moline's Founders with Kirk Marske: Moline Centre Program Manager at Renew Moline
- July 9 and 12 — Hauberg Estate, a Jens Jensen Landscape Restoration with Deb Kuntzi (Executive Director, Hauberg Estate), Molly Tiegland (Docent), Todd Linscott (Board Chair FOHCC)
- July 16 and 19 — A Story of Growing Regeneratively with Ann McGlynn (Executive Director) and Alison Niebuhr (Seasonal Farm Manager)
- July 23 and 26 — Histories, Personalities, and Mysteries of Davenport's Oldest Cemetery with Kory Darnall and Coky Powers: Davenport City Cemetery Partnership Board Members
- July 30 and August 2 — Hennepin Canal and the Mississippi-Rock Confluence with Dr Norm Moline: Augustana Professor
- August 6 and 9 — Russel Farnham and Farnhamsburg with Gena Schantz: Historian
- August 13 and 16 — Fish Passage Through Our Lock and Dam, and Other Interesting River Stories with Jeremiah Haas: Aquatic Biologist, Constellation Energy
- August 20 and 23 — Notorious Nahant and Spooky Marsh Tales with Brian Ritter: Executive Director, Nahant Marsh
- August 27 and 30 — Wild Abandon: A Native Roots Yard in the City with Rita Rawson: Master Gardener, Master Conservationist, Certified Herbalist
Background: By organizing this program, River Action seeks to create opportunities for the public to connect with their community and strengthen their sense of place here along the Mississippi River. The local experts who present throughout this program showcase the beauty and novelty of the historical and natural places in this area, and help the public develop a deeper understanding of their home. This can inspire people to take pride in belonging to this great river community and to become stewards for the places that define who we are.
