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.

John Ruskey is an experienced guide on the Lower Mississippi River, and in 1998 he founded the first wilderness outfitter on the Lower Mississippi – The Quapaw Canoe Company.

Since then, Ruskey has guided National Geographic Adventure, Outside Magazine, the BBC Television, Irish Public Television, the Food Network, ESPN, and other media in various river adventures and expeditions on the Mississippi River.

He is one of the country’s most experienced builders of dugout canoes, and is founder of the Mighty Quapaws Apprenticeship Program for the youth of the Mississippi Delta.

CLICK HERE to download his keynote speech at the 2013 Creative Collaborations Conference in Davenport

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.

• November 2: The Iroquois: Cooperation in Politics and Agriculture by Michael Goodyear
• November 9: The Rock Island Bridge by Roald Tweet
• November 16: A Favorite Spot on the Mississippi by Lisa Cleve
• November 23: Green Valley: Improving a Local Treasure by Tim Gillman
• November 30: Salt Intake by Robin Dunne

River Action's QC Wild Places program has received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend to help fund site improvements, community outreach and awareness, the QC Wild Explorers Program for children and conservation efforts.

QC Wild Places was established in 2011 with the support of the Community Foundation as a way to combine the efforts of local natural areas and their managing organizations in collaboration with River Action and area funders.

Because wilderness areas are run by various organizations with staff and budgets of varying sizes, it is often difficult for them to receive the funding and publicity they need to increase awareness and make improvements. QC Wild Places is a program dedicated to preserving natural areas around the Quad Cities through service, funding, and awareness.

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 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.