River Restoration
The way we take care of the land has a huge impact on water quality. The River Restoration program teaches residents of the watershed how to manage their land to improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat through hands-on projects and educational events.
Riparian (waterfront) landowners must recognize their property is part of a larger system and log jams, bank erosion, and flooding are natural processes. Establishing a buffer zone of native plants, managing (rather than removing) woody debris and using soft bioengineering techniques to stabilize banks will all help to reduce erosion and improve water quality for us and the fish and wildlife that depend on the river.
Our actions impact water quality whether we live along the river or not. The Rouge River is an urban river. Much of the land is covered by buildings, roads, parking lots and houses. These impervious surfaces prevent rainwater and snow melt from soaking into the ground. To prevent flooding on our roads and in our neighborhoods rainwater is collected in catch basins on streets and parking lots and is piped to nearby streams, carrying with it pollutants picked up along the way. The result is a flashy river system where water levels rise rapidly during and after wet weather which scours stream banks and increases sediment in the stream.
Upcoming Events
Naturalizing the Home Garden: A Native Garden Design Workshop for Beginners
Learn how to design a garden with native wildflowers. Experts will be available to assist attendees with plant selection and garden design. Please bring a site sketch or Google map of your yard. This workshop is intended for those with little to no experience gardening with native plants.
Workshop Dates:
Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 6:00-8:00 PM - Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303 (West Entrance Multi-purpose Room)
Tuesday, April 9, 2013, 6:00-8:00 PM - Administration & Conference Center, Henry Ford Community College, 5101 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128
Wednesday, April 24, 2013, 6:00-8:00 PM - Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Above workshops full - please call to be added to a waiting list
Just added - Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Canton Administration Buildling, 1150 S Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI
Call 313.792.9621 or email cross@therouge.org for more information.
Workshops funding provided by:
