Ryan Wille, a former marketing manager of Quad City Botanical Center, has been chosen next executive director of the Rock Island-based nonprofit, succeeding Ami Porter. A 2009 graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Wille was the marketing manager at QCBC (2525 4th Ave., Rock Island) from March 2016 to October 2018, and since then has been development manager of the Humane Society of Scott County. “Ryan, he is a great leader. He is a wonderful person,” Porter said Tuesday morning. “He is very passionate about the gardens. He cares very much about the success of the gardens and he’s... Read More

Wiggly worms are everywhere! Join the QC Botanical Center (2525 4th Ave Rock Island) for KinderNature: Worms this Tuesday Nov 10 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Understand more about these squirmy creatures and their role in composting nature. You can even hold one yourself! Attendance is limited. KinderNature is for kids ages 3-5. RSVP required. Visit https://www.qcgardens.com/store/p135/11.10.20_KinderNature.html#/ to register today.  Read More

Looking to make your world a little greener? You can pre-order yourself some plants online from the Botanical Center! The Quad City Botanical Center is hosting its annual Greenhouse Stock Plant Sale Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Times both days are 10 AM – 5 PM. The public is invited to shop the May weekend sale and pre-order plants by April 17. Pre-orders can be picked up May 8-9 during the sale. Details will be provided if social distancing is required for plant pick up. This year, approximately 50 different varieties of annuals and perennials are included in the sale. Individual plants... Read More

Dress up your little ghosts and goblins for the Quad City Botanical Centers’ annual Not So Scary Halloween Walk! This Not So Scary Halloween Walk takes place this Friday Oct 11 and Friday Oct 25 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Quad City Botanical Center (2525 4th Avenue Rock Island). Bring your flashlights and explore the nooks and crannies of the Sun Garden – search for spiders, bats, jack-o-lanterns and toads as you wander down the darkened pathways. Enjoy refreshments, games and crafts and get a glimpse of the Halloween train in our popular train garden. It’s not so scary in our gardens,... Read More

Autumn is officially upon us. And what a better way to celebrate than with a Pumpkin Extravaganza? Celebrate the fall season with Pumpkin Extravaganza at the Quad City Botanical Center (2525 4th Ave Rock Island) every Sunday, beginning this Sunday Sep 30 through Oct 21 from 12:30 – 3 p.m. Each week will feature a fall-themed family friendly activity. All Pumpkin Extravaganza events are included with general admission. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 2-15 and free for children under 2. No reservations are required, these are drop-in events. Here are the weekly Pumpkin Extravaganza... Read More