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.

• July 19: Long History of Adaption and Recycling by Michael Goodyear
• July 26: A New Tourism Model for the Mississippi by Joe Taylor
• August 2: Navigating the Channel by Jessica Flondro
• August 9: Environmentalism in the Amazon by Michael Goodyear
• August 16: You Can Do This In Your Backyard by Jessica Flondro

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.

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).