nahant news · spring happenings by: liz schramm this spring is an exciting time at nahant! the...

Nahant News

Inside this issue:

Spring Happenings By: Liz Schramm

This spring is an exciting time at Nahant! The addition to the building is nearly complete. The addition will add a large classroom space, storage, and a receptionist area. A large deck has been added to the upstairs of the existing building, which will make a great viewing area. This will add much needed space for programs!

There are plenty of programs and classes for all ages offered at Nahant this spring. Our monthly youth education programs Toddler Tales, Muddy Boots, and Earth Explorers have all started for the season covering lots of fun topics! We will also be launching a new Children’s Garden Club, where 8-12 year olds can learn about raised bed gardening in the Nahant Keyhole Garden. Participants will learn the basics of gardening from seed to harvest beginning March 28 and continuing every Saturday until autumn. Check out the upcoming events pages for more opportunities at Nahant!

Our Annual Spring Cleanup is on May 2 and we need volunteers! The cleanup is in honor of Global Youth Service Day, the largest

annual service event in the world. Volunteers will be pulling invasive plants, helping with plantings, and assisting with the riverside cleanup. All ages are welcome, but youth ages 5 and up are especially encouraged to join us for this day!

Nahant is also excited to announce that we are partnering with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Henry, Rock Island, and Scott Counties to launch the inaugural Quad-Cities Pollinator Conference. This conference will be supported by the funds raised by Tony Singh’s 500-mile Walk for Pollinators and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

This will be a two-day educational event that will cover native bees, honey bees, protecting pollinator health, designing pollinator support plantings, and pollinator-friendly landscapes in agricultural and urban settings. The event will feature a keynote by John Phipps, U.S. Farm Report commentator and experts like May Berenbaum, Ph.D, Department of Entomology at the University of Illinois. This conference is geared towards the agricultural community, landowners, homeowners, beekeepers, and educators. For more information, visit qcpollinatorconference.org.

Volume 9, Issue 2

~...preserving & enhancing the ecological integrity of Nahant Marsh & fostering

wonder, appreciation, interaction, & stewardship

of the natural world

Spring 2015

Join Us on Facebook & Twitter

www.nahantmarsh.org

Upcoming Events

Recreation at Nahant

Spring Pollinator: Bees

Spring Plant: Black Locust

Spring Animal: Chorus Frog

Kids Corner Story

School Field Trips

Brick Engraving

The Friends of Nahant

Adopt an Animal Program

Membership Information

A Special Thank You

Wish List

Exploring Nahant

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Volunteers helping with Spring Cleanup.

Bumblebee on Purple Coneflower

New Building Addition

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Nahant-Marsh-Education-Center/135482933343

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Spring Public Programs & Events

Children’s Garden Club

Begins Saturday, March 28, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Learn about raised bed gardening in the

Nahant Keyhole Garden. Participants will

learn the basics of gardening every Saturday

beginning March 28 through autumn. Limited

to 10 children. Registration required.

Starter garden kits available $10. Ages: 8-12. Cost: Free

Breakfast with Birds: Extinct and Endangered Birds

Friday, April 3, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Join us for an informative breakfast about our feathered

friends. We will meet the first Friday of every month. $7 cost

will include the presentation, a continental breakfast, coffee,

and juice.

Volunteer Service Day

Saturday, April 4, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Join the Friends of Nahant as they work on various projects around the Marsh. Grab a group of friends or the whole family! Some projects may require heavy duty work, while others are light duty. Projects vary depending on season and need. Walk-in’s are welcome; if you plan to bring a large group, please call 563.323.5196.

Muddy Boots: Rock & Roll

Wednesday, April 8, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Discover and examine different rocks and minerals and learn

about the geological processes that create them. Ages: 6-10.

Cost: $7 for non-members, $5 for members.

Earth Explorers: Rock & Roll

Wednesday, April 8, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Discover and examine different rocks and minerals and learn

about the geological processes that create them. Ages: 11-14.


Toddler Tales: Mud!

Tuesday, April 14, 10:00-11:00 a.m. & 2:00-3:00 p.m. April showers bring Mud! We will read about mud and learn

about all things muddy! Ages: 3-5 with accompanying

adult. Cost $5 for non-members, $3 for members.

Spring Sunset Hike

Wednesday, April 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Explore dusk at Nahant Marsh with Friends of Nahant

member Julie Malake. Grab your camera and see what you can

discover in the wetlands. Cost: $7 for non-members, $5 for

members.

Homeschool: Keyhole Gardening

Friday, April 24, 2:30-4:00 p.m. Learn about gardening and composting in our new and unique

keyhole garden. Grades: K-9. Cost: $8 for non-members, $6

for members.

FrogWatch

Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. FrogWatch USA is a long-term frog and

toad monitoring program. In this class,

participants will learn the process and

importance of collecting data on frogs

and toads. Please bring a sack lunch.

Ages: 16 & up. Cost: $20 for non-

members, $16 for members.

Friends of Nahant Meeting

Wednesday, April 29, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join the Friends of Nahant at their monthly meeting. Learn

about the group and how you can get more involved at Nahant

Marsh.

Breakfast with Birds: Alien Birds

Friday, May 1, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Join us for an informative breakfast about our feathered


will include the presentation, a continental breakfast, coffee,

and juice.

Spring Cleanup

Saturday, May 2, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed for our Annual Spring Cleanup! The cleanup is in honor of Global Youth Service Day, the largest annual service event in the world. Volunteers will be pulling invasive plants, helping with plantings, and assisting with the riverside cleanup. All ages are welcome, but youth ages 5 and up are especially encouraged to join us for this day!

Space is limited. Please register online at www.nahantmarsh.org or call 563.323.5196.

Nahant Marsh Newsletter Volume 9, I ssue 2

http://nahantmarsh.org/events-calendar/

Toddler Tales: Animal Homes

Tuesday, May 12, 10:00-11:00 a.m. & 2:00-3:00 p.m. Animals make their homes in many different

places. Come learn about some of these

animals and explore their homes at Nahant.

Ages: 3-5 with accompanying adult. Cost $5

for non-members, $3 for members.

Muddy Boots: Woodland Wonders

Wednesday, May 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Learn about woodland ecology and the diverse plant and

animal communities that exist at Nahant Marsh. Ages: 6-10.


Earth Explorers: Woodland Wonders

Wednesday, May 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Learn about woodland ecology and the diverse

plant and animal communities that exist at

Nahant Marsh. Ages: 11-14. Cost: $7 for non-

members, $5 for members.


Wednesday, May 27, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join the Friends of Nahant at their monthly meeting. Learn


Marsh.

Homeschool: Canoeing/Kayaking

Friday, May 29, 2:30-4:00 p.m. Join us at West Lake for lessons about water safety and basic

canoeing and kayaking skills.

Grades: K-9th. Cost: $8 for non-members, $6 for members.

Breakfast with Birds: Predatory Birds

Friday, June 5, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Join us for an informative breakfast about our feathered


will include the presentation, breakfast, coffee, and juice.

Volunteer Service Day

Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Join the Friends of Nahant as they work on various projects around the Marsh. Grab a group of friends or the whole family! Some projects may require heavy duty work, while others are light duty. Projects vary depending on season and need. Walk-in’s are welcome; if you plan to bring a large group, please call 563.323.5196.

Toddler Tales: Move!

Tuesday, June 9, 10:00-11:00 a.m. & 2:00-3:00 p.m. Animals move in many different ways. Come learn about the

different ways that animals move! Ages: 3-5 with

accompanying adult. Cost $5 for non-members, $3 for

members.

Muddy Boots: Critter Scene Investigation

Wednesday, June 10, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Explore nature by looking for clues, tracks, and

traces to solve a mystery. Ages: 6-10. Cost: $7 for

non-members, $5 for members.

Earth Explorers: Critter Scene Investigation

Wednesday, June 10, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Explore nature by looking for clues, tracks, and traces to solve

a mystery. Ages: 11-14. Cost: $7 for non-members, $5 for

members.

Quad-Cities Pollinator Conference: Pollinators in the

Backyard & on the Back Forty

Wednesday and Thursday, June 10 & 11 This two-day educational event at Jumer’s Casino & Hotel will

cover native bees, honey bees, and protecting pollinator health.

The event will feature a keynote by and dinner with John

Phipps, U.S. Farm Report commentator.

Summer Hike

Saturday, June 20, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Grab your camera and see what you can

discover in the wetlands. Cost: $7 for

non-members, $5 for members.

Junior Conservationist Day Camp

Monday, June 22—Friday, June 26

Enjoy outdoor recreation and discover

what it’s like to be a wildlife biologist!

Campers will learn how to protect,

identify, track, and collect data on many

different kind of animals and plants. Ages: 7-10 Cost $175.

Participants must register through Eastern Iowa Community

Colleges at 1.888.336.3907. Course #153037


Wednesday, June 24, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Join the Friends of Nahant at their monthly meeting. Learn


Marsh.


Spring Public Programs & Events Space is limited. Please register online at www.nahantmarsh.org or call 563.323.5196.

http://nahantmarsh.org/events-calendar/


Recreation Activities at Nahant! By: Kyle Redmond

Hiking/Walking/Running

Nahant has 3 miles of trails

that are open daily from sunrise

to sunset. If the main gate is

locked, trails are accessible

from the front parking lot.

Look for the opening in

the fence near the kiosk.

Bird Watching

Spring is the perfect time of the year for bird

watching in the bird blind. Numerous

waterfowl and song birds stop here during

migration. Grab your binoculars and field

guide or borrow from the staff and see what

you can find.

Picnicking

Enjoy a picnic in

front of the marsh

with your family or

friends. There are two

picnic shelters

available by the nature

center.

Adventure Packs

These packs are filled with nature guides,

magnifying glasses, and seasonal self-directed

activities. See staff to check one out.

Photography

Grab your camera or phone! With all the

diverse plant and wildlife species, you’ll be

sure to capture great memories with your

camera at the Marsh.

Invertebrate Netting

On land or in the water, Nahant is full of

invertebrate species. Ask the

staff for some nets and see

what you can find.

Plant Identifying

Nahant is a great place to

learn about plant species in Iowa. Ask to

borrow a plant field guide and see what you

can identify.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunts

Depending on the season, there are different

things to see at Nahant. Check out our

scavenger hunts and see what plants and

animals you can find!

Spring is here and there are many outdoor activities for you and your family to do at Nahant

Marsh. Come explore the wonders of the wetlands!


Feature Pollinator: Bees By: Sherry Staub

Both feared and admired, bees are the industrious cohorts of our food supply. Some estimates suggest that 35 percent of the world’s food supply is affected by pollinators, and bees account for around 80 percent of that pollinating work! No wonder the idiom“busy as a bee” has endured so long in our language.

The word “bee” conjures up the image of any buzzing insect with a stinger; however, there are many different kinds of bees. Most depend on nectar and pollen as a food source even though some of them are predators and will eat other insects.

While there are some 25,000 known species of bees worldwide, it’s likely that there is only a handful that we readily identify as bees in our backyard. Here are four easily identifiable ones.

The Black Locust is a native tree of the United States but one that is not native to Iowa. It was introduced here to help with soil erosion and escaped its cultivation. It can be found growing next to other native trees such as White Oak, Silver Maple, American Elm, White Ash, and Black Walnut just to name a few.

Black Locust can be found natively along the Appalachian region of the United States where it occurs in forested areas like forest openings and edges because of its low tolerance for shade and overbearing trees. It also occurs in old fields and moist (but not wet) slopes of some of the mountains in the east. Invasively, it flourishes in areas with human interaction like roadsides, edges of constructed wetlands, and around agricultural areas like fields and along fences. It also can spread to the outside of forest areas and prairies.

Black Locust trees attract such pollinators like bees and hummingbirds

because of its fragrant, white flowers. They flower from May to June and will then hang in drooping clusters. It has leaves that are alternate and pinnately compound with 11-15 rounded leaflets. The tree produces brown pods containing 4-8 dark brown seeds. Although the seeds are poisonous to humans, they are eaten by various animals like mourning doves, turkeys, deer, rabbits, and squirrels.

The wood of this tree can be used by humans for such things as lumber, fence posts, paper, and firewood. The young Black Locust will have smooth bark with the bark becoming thicker, ridged, and rougher with age. At the base of the leaves, there is a pair of spines which helps to provide cover for many different animals. One of those animals using the tree for cover is a woodpecker. Black Locust trees often become invaded by the locust borer, a food source for the Downy and Pileated woodpeckers.

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) By: Victoria Edwards

The Honey Bee, the only bee that actually produces enough honey for us to harvest, is likely the most familiar. It is not very aggressive and if it should sting an intruder, it will die. The reason it dies is because its stinger is barbed and is left behind in its victim. In the process, part of the bee’s abdomen is pulled out! Most other bees can sting multiple times because their stinger is not barbed. (Seems like something evolution/adaptation should take care of!)

The Bumblebee is that furry fellow of black and yellow that hovers gently over flowers in our garden while humming a busy song of nectar pleasure! Pollen easily clings to his body making him/her an important asset to the pollination process.

Yellow Jackets are predators with a nasty disposition and can sting multiple times. They are attracted to human food, especially sweet foods like barbecue and pop. They are also carnivores and eat other insects. Their gray teardrop-shaped nests often hang in trees or under the overhang of houses.

Spring Animal: Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata) By: Kyle Redmond

Chorus frogs are

Iowa’s smallest frogs

with a body length of

slightly over an inch.

The back color of

the body may be

varying shades of brown,

gray, olive, or red. There are three brown, rust, or

green wide stripes down the back. The belly is

plain light brown or white. There is a stripe from

the snout through the nostril and eye that

continues down the side to the thigh. The body is

long and slender compared to the short legs. The

toe pads are very tiny.

Boreal chorus frogs begin seasonal activity in

March or early April, and immediately begin

calling and breeding. Most breeding activity is

done by the end of May,

but some may be heard

giving their advertisement

call in June or July,

especially in the evening

or after rains.

Boreal chorus frogs lay small clusters of eggs.

The tadpoles metamorphose in about two to two

and a half months. Boreal chorus frogs do not

move far from their

wetlands during the

summer, especially

in urban

environments.

Boreal chorus frogs feed on small invertebrates.

They may hunt in low shrubs but due to their

short limbs, they do not climb very high and they

are not quite as acrobatic as other tree frogs.

Become FrogWatch Certified!

Join us on April 25th at

Nahant to become a

FrogWatch volunteer!

Frogwatch USA is a long-

term frog and toad

monitoring program. As a

citizen science program,

FrogWatch USA provides volunteers and their

families the opportunity to learn about the

environment while collecting valuable

information about the frogs and toads local to

the area. In this class, participants will learn about

local frogs and toads and the process of

collecting data on these species. Ages: 16 & up.

Cost: $20 for nonmembers, $16 for members. To

register or for more information, call

563.323.5196 or visit our website

www.nahantmarsh.org.


Adult Chorus Frog

Chorus Frog Egg Clusters and Tadpole

Calling Chorus Frog

For more information about Chorus Frogs, check

out these websites:

https://www.usanpn.org/nn/Pseudacris_maculata

http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=26C:/Users/ejurich/Documents/Custom%20Office%20Templates



https://www.usanpn.org/nn/Pseudacris_maculataC:/Users/ejurich/Documents/Custom%20Office%20Templates


Kids Corner: Ethel and Mr. B.: A Trip to Chi-Town

Once upon a time, in a magical place called Nahant Marsh, lived two lucky turtles.

Ethel was a Red-eared slider, with bright red dashes near her beautiful green eyes. Mr. B. was a Blanding’s turtle, a turtle that

is endangered in Iowa. He had a handsome light yellow chin and throat. With his striking markings, it looked like he was

always smiling.

Nahant Marsh was a wetland near the Mississippi River. When the river overflowed, as it often did especially in the spring,

the extra water flowed into the Marsh (as their friends called it).

Many other animals lived in the Marsh with Ethel and Mr. B. including other turtles as well as birds and frogs, snakes and

fish, and other animals.

One day Ethel and Mr. B. were sunning themselves on a log in the water when Brian called out to them from the shore.

Brian was in charge of programs to teach people about the Marsh. “Hey, Ethel! Mr. B.! What do you think about a road

trip? I’ve been invited to put on a program at the Shedd Aquarium. How about coming to Chicago with me?”

“Oooooh!” said Ethel. “Are there treats involved?” Ethel was all about treats.

Brian assured her there were.

“I’d like to go. I’ve never been to Chi-Town. What do you think, Mr. B.?”

Mr. B. smiled his eternal smile. “Sure! Let’s go!”

So off they went, in Brian’s big old pickup truck.

When they got to the Shedd Aquarium, the two turtles were amazed by all the different kinds of animals there. “Ooooh!

Look at the colors on those fish. Oh, no! That looks like a SHARK!! Hide!” and they hid in their carrier. “Don’t worry, guys!

I got your back,” said Brian. “You’re safe.”

“Whoooooh!” said Mr. B. in relief.

Brian, Ethel, and Mr. B. put on their program in front of many people. They were very popular. The people clapped and

cheered. Ethel bowed with her flipper. Mr. B. smiled.

Suddenly, a big commotion started. In the confusion, Ethel and Mr. B. got separated from Brian. Afraid that a shark might

get them, they escaped out a door that someone had left open. The door opened onto the shoreline of Lake Michigan in

back of the aquarium.

“Ethel! Mr. B.! Where are you? Come back!” Brian called.

Ethel and Mr. B. were lost!

Brian ran up and down the shore yelling for the two turtles, getting more and more worried.

It was getting dark. What was he going to do?

He ran around a bend and suddenly spotted the pair of adventurers huddling under a bush by the water. “Oh, thank

goodness,” he said as he scooped them up. “I thought I’d lost you!”

“Well, we’re sure glad to be found,” said Ethel, too upset for once to even think about food.

“Let’s get you two back to the Marsh. I bet I’ve even got a banana there with your names on it,” Brian said, naming Ethel’s

favorite food. “Oh, boy!” said Ethel, her green eyes shining, the commotion already forgotten.

They beat feet back to Davenport and Nahant Marsh.

The End


School Field Trips: An Endangered Species? By: Sherry Staub

It’s no secret that over the last decade funding for school field trips has all but gone the way of the dinosaur and the

dodo, so creative sources of money must be found. Typically, this means funding from organizations that understand

the value of outdoor education for students.

That’s where Davenport Schools Foundation comes in! With their support, some 1,200 seventh grade students were

able to visit Nahant Marsh last year! These students explored the macro-invertebrates that inhabit the marsh pond.

They learned how the presence or absence of certain bugs can tell us the story of how healthy the marsh is. The

students get to make the connection for themselves by scooping up the critters from the marsh, identifying them,

and applying their understanding of pollution tolerance to the bugs they just found!

We are grateful to the Davenport Schools Foundation for their

generous donation making this possible. Not only do they fund

the seventh graders (EVERY SINGLE ONE), but the Great

Minds program also funds students in other grades whose teachers

request funding to bring their classes to the Marsh.

Through this kind of generosity we can provide a valuable

connection for kids to the world around them. It makes a

difference to them and to the world in which we all live.

Thank you Davenport Schools Foundation!

One of the projects for this spring is to build a brick patio under the newdeck. The bricks that are

going to be used were originally found in front of the parking lot and around the building to help

with water runoff. Unfortunately, they filled in with sediment and were no longer functioning the

way they should. New plants located where the bricks were will help absorb the water runoff from

the parking lot.

The bricks are available for engraving. For $100 donation, you can create a lasting legacy for

yourself or a loved one on Nahant Marsh’s new patio. The message can be up to three lines with

12 characters each (including spaces). The proceeds from the pavers will go to support

environmental education, research, and restoration at Nahant Marsh Education Center. If

interested please contact us at 563.323.5196 or email at [email protected].

Brick Engraving By: Elizabeth Schramm

Mammal Program for 7th Grade Field Trip


The Friends of Nahant Marsh: Who are they, what do they do, and why do they do it?

By: Julie Malake, Friend of Nahant Marsh

Get ready, spring is coming! Get ready, too, for the grand opening of the new education center expansion. Not much longer to wait, although the education center is still in a bit of disarray now. But once the new space is available and everything put back into place, Nahant Marsh Education Center will be nicer than ever. There will be more space to accommodate more students of all ages to learn the lessons Nahant Marsh has to teach about this land and why being a good steward is so important. The dedicated folks who call themselves Friends of Nahant Marsh consider stewardship of our little piece of the planet very important.

Nahant Marsh now has staff, a budget, and the support of some very major donors to make the ongoing care of this remarkable place possible. Not so many years ago, the only thing the Marsh had was a small group of dedicated and loyal volunteers—the Friends of Nahant Marsh. Before Brian Ritter was hired in 2007, a couple years passed with no director, no naturalist, and no staff. Volunteers opened the Education Center on weekends and hosted bi-annual cleanup days. It seemed important; Nahant Marsh was a unique and valuable place. It had been the site of a Superfund cleanup that removed lead contamination, prairies that had been replanted with native grasses and forbs, and an old club house turned into an Education Center to teach environmental classes. But the funding ran out. Friends of Nahant Marsh came anyway, tending the prairies, clearing the trails, and hosting informational booths at events to answer questions. This urban wetland was too much of an increasingly rare treasure to let it go.

Nahant Marsh has come roaring back since those days. Thousands of students and visitors now come to learn and enjoy. During the school year, staff are kept very busy as busload after busload of school children come to see what Nahant Marsh and the web of life is all about. AmeriCorps teams help to get things done. More prairies have been planted and are tended. More classes and events, for adults as well as school children, have been scheduled. And the Friends of Nahant Marsh are still here to help because we still feel it is important. There are more of us now, doing what we’ve always done, but perhaps keeping better track of the hours that remained uncounted in the past.

During 2014, Friends of Nahant Marsh removed invasive plants, assisted with Spring and Xstream cleanups, constructed a new snake enclosure, painted a mural in the second floor classroom, sewed drapes for under-counter storage, worked the Autumn Fest, helped with Trivia Night,

assisted with building a viewing platform and children’s keyhole garden, cooked and served meals to Americorps teams and summer day camp children—some of whom we sponsored so they could attend the camps. We worked Bald Eagle Days, planted trees at the marsh and at Carp Lake, gathered prairie seeds, moved plants from the side of the Education Center prior to construction of the new addition, and worked as docents nearly every Saturday morning, for a total of nearly a thousand hours.

Although there was no pay check to show for those hours, we were paid in other ways. There is a great deal of satisfaction in pitching in to benefit the tribe we belong to (this of course would be the earthlings). It is rewarding to be a good steward of our little part of the planet. There is pleasure in sharing the knowledge of how remarkable this place is, and it goes far beyond the unique and beautiful Nahant Marsh. Nahant Marsh is a tiny postage stamp of habitat surrounded by city, and it is only a tiny part of a much greater whole. Although it has turned out to be amazingly resilient, it is also fragile. Nahant Marsh, and the planet as a whole, needs the help of all its citizens in order to be healthy and thrive. As goes the earth, so go we all. So the Friends of Nahant Marsh keep coming to help and to teach. What better place to help and teach than outdoors in a beautiful wetland environment?

You are welcome to join us. As we start a busy new year full of new space and new challenges, there is plenty to do. Bring your talents and use your skills to be a good steward to this land to which we’ve been entrusted. You can help keep Nahant Marsh a thriving place that teaches its lessons to everyone. The more people who can be reached by its lessons, the better. Every one of us has only this one earth to call home. Whether the earth thrives or falters will be very much up to us. You can join Friends of Nahant Marsh and in return you can spend some time outdoors under the sky, you can help heal and maintain the land, and you can take satisfaction in knowing that you personally contributed to that ongoing process. You can learn something you didn’t know before, and you can teach something to someone who may be hearing it for the first time. You won’t get a paycheck, but what you do receive may turn out to be worth far more than money.


Adopt an Animal!

You can help support the Nahant Marsh Education Center's mission to educate the public about the wonders of the natural world

by adopting one of our resident animals through our Adopt an Animal program. Your donation is tax deductible.

Nahant Marsh’s Animal Ambassadors represent native species of Iowa’s wildlife. They provide unforgettable hands-on experiences

for visitors of all ages. As an ambassador, these animals represent their species allowing our education staff to educate the public

about them. All of our animals are on display at the Center and will remain under the permanent care of Nahant staff. For $75 you

can adopt an animal for one year.

All animals at the Center receive:

Expert care from staff who oversee their daily needs

Special diets to meet their specific needs

Enrichment items to encourage natural behaviors

Regular veterinary check-ups to insure optimal health

Animal adoptions are valid for one year from the date of processing. Animals may have multiple “adoptive parents” and must

remain under the care of the staff at the Center. You can also support the animals by purchasing items on our Amazon Wishlist

Registry or by making a monetary donation amount of your choice.

Animals available for adoption include:

Squirtle

Ornate Box Turtle

Bob

Three-toed Box Turtle

George


Micheline


Pancake

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Ethel

Red-eared Slider Turtle

Picasso

Painted Turtle

Spike

Snapping Turtle

Captain

Blanding’s Turtle

Rizzo

Black Rat Snake

Sunny

Fox Snake

Kermit

American Bullfrog

Your adoption includes:

A personalized adoption certificate

A beautiful color photo of your animal

A description of its natural and personal history

A recognition plaque in the exhibit gallery

Tigger

Tiger Salamander

Sid

Common Musk Turtle

Rocky

Bullsnake

Porky

Western Hognose

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/34MY82W3Q8MJF



Family: $60/year. Basic membership benefits for two named adults (or caregivers) in the same household and their children under 18 years old.

The Grand Family: $75/year. Basic membership benefits for two named adults (or caregivers) in the same household and their children under 18 years old, PLUS grandparents.

Individual: $40/year. All basic membership benefits for one adult. Senior: $30/year. All basic membership benefits for one senior, 65 or over.

Student: $25/year. Students must have a valid student ID.

Associate Individual: $75/year. An individual membership with an added gift.

Associate Family: $100/year. A family membership with an added gift.

Benefactor: $500/year. Basic membership benefits for two named adults (or caregivers) in the same household and their children under 18 years old, plus added gifts and a private tour for up to 10 individuals (by appointment only).

Lifetime: $1000+. Basic membership benefits for two named adults (or caregivers) in the same household and their children under 18 years old, plus an added gift, a private tour for up to 10 individuals (by appointment only), and a plaque located at Nahant Marsh.

All memberships, with the exception of lifetime memberships, expire on December 31 each

year. New members who join June through December enjoy the benefit of a membership

longer than one year; in this situation, expiration occurs during the second December

following the enrollment date.

MEMBER BENEFITS:

Discounts on our special events, weekend programs, and youth drop-off programs

Discounts and early announcements to our camp programs

Discounts off Nahant Marsh products

A subscription to our quarterly e-newsletter

An invitation to our members-only events like members-only fishing days at Carp Lake

YOUR MEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS:

Environmental education programs for over 12,000 children, adults, and families annually.

The protection and preservation of the largest urban wetland on the upper Mississippi River. Nahant’s 265 acres of wetland, prairies, and woodlands are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, including several that are threatened or endangered.

Continuing research efforts at Nahant Marsh, which allow Nahant staff to make improvements and continue to use the best practices for natural resource management.

Nahant Marsh Memberships

Welcome New Members!

Help support Nahant Marsh by becoming a member, renewing your membership, or giving a gift membership today! Nahant

Marsh Education Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and your membership is tax deductible. All memberships can be purchased

online at www.nahantmarsh.org/membership

Jerry Bald

Ashley Eberle

Randy Pribyl

Kristine Ion-Rood

Jeramy Steinecke

John Gaines

Karen Wilson

Betty Wood

Paddy and John Blackman

Karen Davidson

Shane Day

Tony and Helen Schiltz

Teri Czarnecki

Thank you to all

of our renewing

members!!

http://nahantmarsh.org/membership/

A Special Thank You!

The staff of Nahant Marsh would like to thank all of the

individuals and groups that have volunteered, donated,

attended our public programs, became members, or bought

merchandise at Nahant this winter. We would not be where

we are today without all of your support!

TIME

Thank you to all of those that have donated your time at the

Education Center! Gary, Sharon, and William Dembicki;

Alexis and Mona Blake; Tim, Nancy, and Jake Emmerson;

Kyle Villits; John Behrens; Joey Ketelaar; Alec Lewis; Gavin

Wilkes; Shane Day; Ashley Eberle; Zelig Kopel; Dylan

Tomlinson; Jessica Huang; Dale Lacina; and Cathy White for

helping with our Carp Lake Cleanup. Sue Albrecht, Cassie

Reiley, and Sarah Neill for volunteering on Saturday morning

service day. The Friends of Nahant Marsh (Lynn Abel, Jane

Broughton, Bob Bryant, Sheri Coleman, Terry Collins, Amy

Groskopf, Andy and Kathleen Len, Curtis Lundy, Julie

Malake, Kathy Nice, Darren Speth, Sherry Staub, and Kent

Turner) for their continual hard work!

DONATIONS

Thank you to all of the individuals that made donations to

Nahant this winter; Shirley Horstmann (turtle pudding), Brian

Ritter (eggs for Breakfast with Birds), Lee Ann Wille (moss

and Eco Earth for the education animals), Linda Roy (spot

light, Olympus camera, and aquarium materials), Wild Birds

Unlimited (large bird feeder set, suet, and bags of bird food),

Duane Olson (squirrels for taxidermy), Dean Hurliman

(wood-carved ducks), John and Ruth Ward (Ford Ranger),

Jolinda (binders and clipboards), Patti Holmlund (spot lamp

and garden pump for the education animals) and all those who

made monetary donations Davenport Isaac Walton League,

Mississippi Valley Hosta Society, Ruth Ann Gallagher, B.

Keyoth Living Trust, Jim and Melissa VonMaur, Kelly

Drumm-Janoski, Norm and Janet Moline, Kandice Slater,

John Ward, Brock Earnhardt, Curtis Lundy, and Tony Singh!

Nahant Marsh Wish List

Education

– bobcat,

badger, bison, mountain lion,

opossum, elk)

mammals, fish, & birds of prey native

to Midwest)

native to Midwest)

to Midwest)

Lawn & Garden Tools

-terrain vehicle

Arts & Crafts

tacky glue)

Office

scotch)

Miscellaneous

The following is a list of supplies and tools needed at Nahant Marsh. If you would like to donate any of the following items,

please email [email protected] or call 563.323.5196. Also, please visit our Wish List Registry on Amazon where you can

directly purchase items for our captive animals by using this link: www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/34MY82W3Q8MJF

Your donations are tax-deductible. Thank you for supporting the Nahant Marsh Education Center!




Nahant Marsh preserve is one of the largest urban wetlands on the Upper

Mississippi River. It is comprised of marshy areas, mesic, wet and sand

prairie, and bottomland forest. A spring-fed quarry, known as Carp Lake,

and the surrounding grounds, is part of the Nahant Marsh preserve as well.

The building and 78 acres of land is owned and managed by the city of

Davenport. The remaining land is held by the Nahant Board, a 501(c)(3).

The educational programming is overseen by Eastern Iowa Community

Colleges (EICC). EICC’s Advanced Technology Environmental Energy

Center (ATEEC) is also a critical part of Nahant Marsh.

Nahant Marsh

Education Center

4220 Wapello Avenue

Davenport, IA 52802

Phone: 563.323.5196

Email: [email protected]

www.nahantmarsh.org

Exploring Nahant Marsh

Nahant Marsh is home to over 150 species of birds, more than 400 species of plants, and a wide variety of mammals, fish,

reptiles, amphibians, and insects, including several rare and endangered species. The trails, dock, and bird blind at Nahant Marsh

allow you to experience different habitats including marsh, sand and mesic prairies, bottomland woods, and vernal ponds.

Education Center Hours: Monday through Friday from 8AM- 4:30PM & Saturdays from 9AM-NOON, or by special appointment.

Preserve Hours: Open Daily from Sunrise to Sunset.

Getting to Nahant Marsh…

From Davenport, Iowa:

Take Highway 22 South and turn left on Wapello Avenue (last left turn

before the I-280 overpass). Follow Wapello Avenue and you will see

Nahant Marsh to your left, just before the railroad crossing.

From Illinois:

Take I-280 to Iowa and take the Highway 22/Rockingham Road exit.

Turn right onto Highway 22 and right onto Wapello Avenue. Nahant

Marsh is on the left, just before the railroad crossing.