River Action's Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks -- August 6 through 31.
Channel Cat Talks: Tuesday, August 6, through Thursday, August 29
Riverbend Commons Dock, 2951 East River Drive, Moline IL
Riverine Walks: Wednesday, August 7, through Saturday, August 31
Various Area Locations
Delivering a blend of local history, environmental issues, education, entertainment, and fresh air, Davenport's River Action will present a series of outdoor presentations in the third and final month of the 2024 Channel Cat Talks and Riverine Walks: weekly programs that, from August 6 through 31, will address such topics as plastic pollution, commercial fishing, the Quad City National Weather Service, and the Rock Island predecessor Farnhamsburg.
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: "Our River Landscape Mosaic" (August 6 and 8), in which Professors Reuben Heine and Norm Moline explore how physical geography and human actions combine to shape a landscape and why the Mississippi River flows from east to west in our area; "Plastic Pollution on the Mighty Mississippi River" (August 13 and 15), with Lori McCollum discussing the plastic pollution and contamination of our most important local water resource; "Commercial Fishing on the Mississippi" (August 20 and 22), which finds commercial fisherman Mike Schafer telling stories of how he makes a living before he treats guests to a fresh-caught snack; and "Gongoozling with USACE: 200 Years of Operation, Maintenance, & Inspections Along the Upper Mississippi River" (August 27 and 29), where Anthony Heddlesten and Josh Hendrix speak on the first lock constructed in the 1930s for the 9-foot channel system and how it operates.
Riverine Walk participants explore the Quad Cities through a series of guided strolls through various area locales, with the August Riverine Walks series featuring: "Before Rock Island, There Was Farnhamsburg" (August 7 and 10), with Gena Schantz discussing the burg named for Russel Farnham, who was known as "the man who walked around the world," worked for John Jacob Astor, and opened the Mississippi Valley for the American Fur Company; "Quad City National Weather Service Office Tour" (August 14 and 17), with meteorologist and forecaster John Haase speaking on weather, climate change, and the history of the NWS; "The South Branch of the Mississippi: Small but Important" (August 21 and 24), with Dr. Norm Moline discussing how the Sylvan Slough was the key factor for the development of industries in Moline, eastern Rock Island, and the arsenal’s location; and "This Is a Farm" (August 28 and 31), in which Sonja Kinser leads a visit to Tapestry Farms and its hydroponics container.
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.
