2015 Annual Report

Education Center Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

and Saturday from 9 a.m.—3 p.m.

Preserve Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

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, are 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 are held by the Nahant Board, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The educational programming is overseen by Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC).

EICC’s Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) is also a critical part of Nahant Marsh.

Building and Grounds Maintained by City of Davenport Parks and Recreation

Welcome to Nahant Marsh

Tim Murphy President

Ellen Kabat Lensch Vice-president

Curtis Lundy Treasurer

Kathy Wine Secretary

Dave Murcia Cal Werner John Ward Michael Ryan Brian Stineman Brock Earnhardt Mark Ackleson Jonathan Wilmshurst Kim Strunk

Milissa Hofmann Robert Bryant

Board of Directors

1

Working to... preserve and enhance the ecological integrity of the Marsh and to foster wonder, appreciation, interaction,

and stewardship of the natural world through education.

Brian Ritter Executive Director Jevonnah Prashaw Natural Resource Manager

Amy Loving Education Coordinator

Liz Schramm Program Specialist/Naturalist

Lindsey Kennedy Marketing Coordinator

AmeriCorps Educators Grace Griffin Freedom Malik Cassidy Piersall Jenna Skopek

Conservation Technicians Kory Darnall Veronika Cox Conservation Interns Bailey Kakert Cassidy Piersall Zach Strong

In 2015, we were thankful to welcome new staff members, volunteers, and AmeriCorps members. Their hard work and energy continues to help drive us toward our mission. [from left to right]: Cassidy, Freedom, Lindsey, Jevonnah, Liz, Grace, Brian, Amy, and Jenna.

2

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

t

Education Center Staff

Record Attendance

3,9952,142 1,570

3,3684,847

5,8136,672

7,5148,663

12,34713,478

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Num

ber

of P

eopl

e

Year

Nahant Marsh Education CenterTotal Attendance by Year

2004-2015

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Num

ber

of P

eopl

e

Year

Nahant Marsh Education CenterTotal Attendance by Season

2004-2015

Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec

For the fifth straight year in a row, Nahant staff and volunteers served a record number of people, seeing over 13,000 through our educational programming in 2015.

Nahant Marsh Education Center offers a wide variety of environmental education programming for:• Colleges • Church Groups • Early Learners • Homeschools • School Groups • Scout Groups • Senior Groups • Nature lovers of all ages!

Nahant Marsh is a great place to explore wildlife and learn about the flora that once covered much of the landscape in Iowa. As a preserve, we allow low-impact recreation activities such as: • Biking on Paved Surfaces • Bird Watching • Hiking • Picnicking • Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing on Trails • Wildlife & Landscape Photography. 3

One of the highlights of 2015 was the first QC Pollinator Conference. Nahant Marsh, along with a coalition of partners from the US Fish and Wildlife, Scott and Rock Island Counties’ Soil and Water Districts, NRCS, River Action, and others, hosted the conference for 280 people representing eight states and two Native American tribes.

The conference featured nationally-known experts who discussed both the plight of pollinators and potential solutions.

Among others, this conference was initially made possible through the generosity and inspiration of Tony Singh, whose 500-mile walk for pollinators raised the primary funds needed to make this initiative

Our Pollinator Conference

website was viewed 6,079 times in 2015.

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

t

4

Building AdditionThe 1,600 square foot building addition, completed in the summer of 2015, uses geothermal energy, passive solar, and recycled materials. The new space allows us to serve more people in a modern and

welcoming environment with minimal impact to the preserve. The walls in the addition feature a timeline that highlights the history of Nahant Marsh and provides visitors with a sense of what it is about.

In 2015, Nahant Marsh also added a new deck to the building and a new viewing platform at the east edge of the marsh that will provide visitors with new vantage points for viewing the large variety of wildlife that calls Nahant home. Volunteers and staff planted dozens of native

shrubs, trees, and wildflowers on the grounds to add beauty and habitat. Additionally, the size of the preserve grew when Scott County deeded nearly 7 acres to the marsh that are wetland areas adjacent to the main preserve. Although relatively small, these parcels will allow our staff and researchers access to surrounding wetlands.

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

tOn October 20, 2015, over 200 people helped us celebrate our 15-year anniversary and the grand opening of our new addition in a two-part event.

Our Sunset Celebration trio of entertainment included storyteller Kenny Salwey, and musicians Kendra Swanson and Ellis Kell.

6

Our Volunteers

• Attending monthly Friends of Nahant Marsh meetings;• Cooking and baking for events and lunches served to NCCC AmeriCorps workers during their 6-week assignment at Nahant Marsh; • Serving as docents on Saturdays at the education center; • Completing bird counts on Saturdays; • Assisting with content and concepts for the inside of the new addition; • Maintaining trees and shrubs; • Removing invasive species from the preserve; • Planting new areas around the addition; • Assisting at events such as the building dedication, X-stream cleanup, and Bald Eagle Days; and • Constructing the new viewing platform.

of their time by:

The Friends of Nahant Marsh is a group of devoted and loyal volunteers who support the mission of Nahant Marsh through continued volunteer service.

In 2015, the Friends of Nahant Marsh volunteered

575 hoursArnie ChristianBob BryantCurtis LundyDarren SpethJack WileyJulie MalakeLynn AbelSheri ColmanShirley HorstmannTerry Collins

Jane BroughtonSherry StaubKent TurnerAmy GroskopfKathy NiceLarry Flathman Kathy LenaghanJolinda BurrEmily Young

7

Natural resources work is an invaluable part of restoring and maintaining natural areas. Without this kind of work from the AmeriCorps team, volunteers, and staff, the natural prairie, marsh and forest areas can easily become over-taken with invasive and

non-native species. Our wildlife, including some endangered species, depend on biodiversity. Invasive species can create a mono-culture and decrease the biodi-versity creating a lower quality habitat.

Our Americorps National Civilian Community Corps team

lived at Nahant Marsh Education Center while working for six consecutive weeks at the marsh and Schuetzen Park this fall. They spent the majority of their time with invasive species removal from prairie and forest areas. They also planted trees to increase diversification of forested areas, helped improve degrading trails, and worked with and educated volunteer groups.

Dr. Robert Mohlenbrock visited in September. During his time at Nahant Marsh, he discovered 3 species of previously unknown flora.

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

t

Nahant Marsh Photographers: • Jack Denger • Michael Fitzpatrick • Amy Loving • Julie Malake • Connor Woollums 8

Education Programs

1,817

913

342

1,131 1,0661,416

1,6561,918

2,365

3,203 3,312

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Num

ber

of P

eopl

e

Year

Nahant Marsh Education CenterK-12 Attendance

2004-2015

714243 0 275

8191,425 1,727 1,907 1,996

4,450

5,953

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Num

ber

of P

eopl

e

Year

Nahant Marsh Education CenterOutreach Attendance by Year

2004-2015

Our attendance and outreach continue to rise due to our efforts to expand our education programs.

9

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

t2508

1987

801692

5953

Nahant Marsh Education Center2015 Educational Reach

School Onsite Non-School Onsite College Onsite Events Onsite Outreach

10

Nahant Marsh Education Center has programs for:

TEACHERS: • Field trips and tours • A monthly homeschool program • Outreach programs

COLLEGE STUDENTS: • EICC Conservation Technician Program • EICC/EIU-QC National Resources Managment Track • Research opportunities ADULTS • Monthly programming such as Breakfast Nature Club • Master Conservationist Program • Annual Quad City Pollinator Conference YOUTH • Monthly programming such as Toddler Tales • Summer Camps • Monthly Family Programming

Donors and Stewards

Lynn AbelMark AcklesonAlcoa FoundationAlfaretta Young TrustAnonymousAnonymousJock AplinAT&T Employee Giving CampaignATEECB. Keyoth Living TrustGary & Donna BakerRobin BerhenkeBirdies for CharityBitco Insurance Co.Blue Sky ImageryJane BroughtonPaul BrownRobert BryantJolinda BurrCargill FoundationArnie ChristianTerry CollinsSheri ColmanCommunity Foundation of the Great River BendCrandall FarmsDavenport Community Schools DistrictDavenport Izaak Walton LeagueLaurel Davis

Brock EarnhardtEastern Iowa Community CollegesAshley EberleLarry Flathman Friendship Force of the Quad CitiesTom FritzRich GapinskiAmy Groskopf & Kent TurnerSarah GrussMilissa HofmannPatti HolmlundShirley HorstmannDean HurlimanKelly JanoskiJohn JurichEllen Kabat Lensch & Lee LenschLindsey & Brad KennedyMark KilmerLarfarge North America Kathy LenaghanLinwood Mining & Minerals Corp.Living Lands & WatersCurtis LundyJulie MalakeRobert MalakeMelvin McKay Charitable TrustHarold MillerMississippi Valley Hosta Society Norm & Janet MolineMumford Family FoundationDave MurciaTim Murphy (continues on next page...)

Each gift received is appreciated and used to help fund educational programming, research, and internship opportunities and helps to restore, enhance, and protect the dynamic, yet fragile Nahant Marsh ecosystems.

11

(...continued from page 11)

Kathy NiceKaren O’ConnorDuane OlsonParr Instrument CompanyMary Lou PetersenRandy PribylScott & Raelene PullenQuad Cities Convention & Visitors BureauRepublic Co.Randal RichmondBrian RitterRiver ActionRiverboat Development AuthorityRock Island Community FoundationRosemary RomineNan RomineLinda RoyBeth RupeMichael RyanDoreen SartorElizabeth & Nathan SchrammLeo Schubert & Susan ShararSusan SchwartzScott County Conservation BoardScott County Regional AuthorityTony SinghDarren SpethSt. Ambrose UniversityState Historical Society of IowaSherry & David StaubDavid SteilBrian StinemanKim StrunkKendra SwansonPat TandyThomas Thoms

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

tDonors and Stewards

Timmy’s Hot DogsTransCanadaUS Fish & Wildlife Britt VickstromWalcott Trust & Savings BankWallace Garden CenterJohn and Ruth WardAnn WernerCal & Jill WernerWestern Illinois UniversityMichael & Rebecca WieseWild Birds UnlimitedJack WileyLee Ann WilleJonathan & Sarah WilmshurstKathy WineWoollums FamilyEmily Young

12

Our 2015 Members

Jerry BaldMarilynn Bartels & Ryan LessAnne & Ken BaskenKristen BergrenBarbara BiggsPaddy & John BlackmanJohn & Kathy BowmanPaul BrownSteven BruenDan & Sue CarrollKay CoinLinda CookTeri CzarneckiKaren DavidsonMarilyn DavisShane DayGary DembickiDouglas FamilyAshley EberleLarry FlathmanKim FreyermuthJohn GainesRebecca HeickMichael & Hedy Hustedde

Kristine Ion-RoodMary Johannsen Kathleen LenaghanCurtis LundyShannon MackeySusan McPetersTim MurphyWilliam NissenRandy PribylTony & Helen SchiltzGretchen SchmidtLeo Schubert & Susan ShararKendall & Susan SchwartzDavid & Sherry StaubJeramy SteineckeDarrell & Anne ThodeBritt VickstromLori WalljasperKirk WhalenCathy WhiteJack & Joyce WileyKaren WilsonBetty Wood

Beginning in 2016, all donors who contribute $40 or more will be considered members of Nahant Marsh.

Did you know? All members receive discounts on program fees!

City of Davenport

Our Partners

13

2015

Nah

ant M

arsh

Edu

catio

n Ce

nter

Ann

ual R

epor

tConnecting People...

“I had a lovely walk at Nahant Marsh this morning, and took some very neat photos! I’ll be back!” -Lou Ann Devaney-Kline August 13, 2015 • 5/5 Facebook Review

3,224

“LIKES” in 2015

951 “LIKES” in 2014

543 “LIKES” in 2013

207 “LIKES” in 2012

December 22, 2015 Nahant Marsh Facebook Post: “These two river otters were spotted near the bird blind last week. What amazing pictures!!” Photo credit: Jack Denger (1/3)1,777 People Reached 472 Video Views 58 Likes

April 9, 2015 Nahant Marsh Facebook Post: “Sand Hill

Cranes have been spotted at Nahant over the past several

days.” Photo credit: Amy Loving

2,060 People Reached 78 Likes 14

...with Nature.

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Website Visitors in 2015 by Month

Unique Visitors # of Visits

35,758 32,562 37,196

52,932 65,65171,155

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

2013 2014 2015

3-year Website Traffic Comparison

Unique Visitors # of Visits

“Enjoy walking this wetland success story. I have taken many nice pictures here. Take in a program or volunteer. A Davenport gem. Nearby Concord Road is thick with eagles in the winter. Train enthusiasts will love the location...” -beentheredonethatia • Visited May 2015 • 4/5 TripAdviser

15