Background:
The Nahant Marsh Education Center is submitting an application to the Destination Iowa program for Wetland Reclamation and Enhancement and Phase III Trail System Enhancement project on 60 acres of newly acquired land.
- The total project budget is estimated at $2,289,402.
- The total grant request to Destination Iowa is estimated at $ 914,689.
- Nahant Marsh will provide matching funds of 60% of the total requested, equaling $1,374,713*. The funds are secured as a result of capital fundraising efforts and in-kind contributions.
*The grant program requires a minimum of 60% of the total amount requested in match.
This project is the purchase of 60 acres of farmland that will be restored to its natural marsh and wetland state and features a unique partnership between the River Bend Food Bank, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and Nahant Marsh to purchase the land. The project will feature wetland reclamation and restoration; new trail connectivity; a boardwalk; and an ADA-accessible viewing mound that will be in the shape of a turtle. The Quad Cities Native American Coalition has been consulted about the project and is enthusiastically supporting and participating in educational signage and indigenous information. Phase III of the Nahant Marsh Trail System Enhancement will connect the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) to Nahant Marsh and to neighborhoods in the Southwest Davenport area, in addition to other Davenport trail systems. The total trail length of the new section will be approximately 1 mile.