The Beling Ecological Preserve is a wetland adjacent to the Rock River at the boundary of Rock Island and Moline.
The 98-acre preserve was a gift to the college from the Earl Beling family in 1998. It includes tiny William Carr Island.
About 15 minutes from campus, it is easily reached by driving south from John Deere Expressway in Moline onto 7th Street (passing UnityPoint Health to the west) and stopping in the open field parking spot adjacent to the old North Shore Inn where 7th Street turns sharply east along the river.
The north side of the new bridge across the Rock River from Milan is situated on the Beling preserve and when completed will connect with the John Deere Expressway.