River Action's Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks -- August 4 through 29.
Channel Cat Talks: Tuesday, August 4, through Thursday, August 27
Riverbend Commons Dock, 2951 East River Drive, Moline IL
Riverine Walks: Wednesday, August 5, through Saturday, August 29
Various Area Locales
Delivering a blend of local history, environmental issues, education, entertainment, and fresh air, Davenport's River Action concludes its 2026 series of outdoor presentations in the annual Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks – weekly "Explore the River Series" programs that, from August 4 through 29, will address such topics as the Mississippi River landscape, the Kreiter Tree Farm, local barrio communities, and the Quad Cities' 3,500 acre wetland ecosystem.
Channel Cat Talk participants tour the Mississippi River aboard the Channel Cat Water Taxi, with boarding taking place at Moline's Riverbend Commons Dock. Experts will provide narration on the themed surroundings, with the Channel Cat Talks for August including: "Barrio Communities in the Quad Cities" (August 4 and 6), this presentation by Augustana College's Micaela Terronez including historical reasons for the high influx of Mexican migrants to the Quad Cities in the early 20th century, as well as the personal experiences of individuals and families living in these working-class communities; "The Mosaic of Our Mississippi River Landscape" (August 11 and 13), which finds Augustana's Norm Moline discussing the mix of natural and cultural features that add to the character of our area; "Rhythms of the River" (August 18 and 20), a kid-friendly program with Common Chord's Ben Scwindt that explores jazz, blues, gospel, rock & roll, country, and their origins in towns along the river; and "Gongoozling on the Mississippi w/USACE" (August 25 and 27), with civil engineer Anthony Heddleston covering USACE history through the first lock constructed in the 1930s, and discussing how it operates, why the system was built, and what maintenance and upkeep is required to keep it running for more than 90 years.
Riverine Walk guests explore the Quad Cities through a series of guided strolls through various area locales, with the August Riverine Walks series featuring: "Milan Bottoms: QC's Wetland Wonder" (August 5 and 8), in which, with biologist Jon Duyvejonck, participants can see wetland wildlife and learn how Milan Bottoms mitigates flooding and filters pollutants; "The Legacy of the Lumber Baron Era in the QC" (August 12 and 15), with QC PastPort president Natalie Linville-Mass leading a figurative walk through the 1840s-'80s to experience what the lumber industry meant to this area and how many aspects of this era can still be seen today; "Nature's Apothecary" (August 19 and 22), with Nahant Marsh Director of Education Amy Loving looking at a variety of local plants, discussing their uses, and exploring how pollinators make these benefits possible; and "Kreiter Tree Farm: Caring for the Land" (August 26 and 29), in which farm owners Dick and Judy Kreiter, alongside Nahant Marsh Executive Director Brian Ritter, offer a peek into this acreage tucked away near Blue Grass that boasts 250 acres of forest and trails waiting to be explored.
Channel Cat Talks take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and are $20 per person, while Riverine Walks are held on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m., with admission $10 per person. For more information on these “Explore the River Series” presentations, call (563)322-2969 and visit RiverAction.org.
