Rouge Rundown10.30.2024

You are Invited to Become a Master Rain Gardener!

Are you ready to transform your lawn into a living habitat and stormwater solution? This is the class for you! Design your own rain garden step-by-step as you learn the A, B, C’s of rain gardening. This includes lessons learned from more than 1,400 rain gardens built by homeowners just like you! Learn what works and what doesn’t.

This virtual class is presented live. Ask questions and enjoy discussions with participants in your community. The course includes a visit to a rain garden in your area, discussions through the Master Rain Gardener Facebook group (or an alternate forum), and a chance to earn your certification as a Master Rain Gardener–including a t-shirt and sign.

Full scholarships are available for residents in the following zip codes:
Detroit (48209, 48217), Ecorse (48229), Inkster (48141), Lincoln Park (48146), Melvindale (48122), River Rouge (48218), Riverview (48193), Romulus (48174), Taylor (48180).

Class Times: Thursdays, 10 am – 12 pm, January 30–February 27

Class Location: virtual classroom with in-person tours throughout SE Michigan

Learn More and Register Here

I have a question about the class

Your Fall Bug Hunt Report

Thank you for making the 2024 Fall Bug Hunt a success! All of the wonderful participatory scientists make your monitoring events possible. 42 sites were sampled and the event itself had 127 volunteer participants! The average Stream Quality Index (SQI) for sites was FAIR (29). Twenty sites rated GOOD; twenty sites were FAIR; two sites scored POOR. Sites averaged 14 taxa, and 2 Ephemeroptera/Plecoptera/Tricoptera. Read the full report to learn more!

Funding for the event was provided by the communities of Beverly Hills, Farmington, Livonia, Northville Township, Novi, Plymouth, Plymouth Township, Southfield, Troy, Birmingham, Washtenaw County Water Resources, EGLE and the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Alliance of Rouge Communities, and the Michigan Clean Water Corps.

Find the Fall Bug Hunt Report Here

Winter Tree Tube Pick Up- Join in the Fun!

You are invited to join the Weekly Tree Tube Pick-Up! Over the past few years, Friends of the Rouge has planted over 13,000 native trees along the Lower Rouge River Watershed, each protected by a sturdy, recycled plastic tube. These tubes have done an amazing job shielding these young trees from predators, but now the trees are ready to thrive on their own!

If you are looking for a chance to soak up the daily 3 minutes of sun that Michigan sees in the winter, this is for you! This is the perfect chance to get outdoors, meet fellow tree enthusiasts, and make a positive impact in your Rouge community. Everyone is welcome, but please note that minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Fill out the form below and you will receive weekly location details (all sites are in the Inkster area) by email. Pick-ups will happen every Tuesday, with updates if extra dates are added! For more information or to schedule a private group clean-up, please contact Jacqueline Kristofik (jkristofik@therouge.org). See you out on the Rouge!

Join in the Tree Tube Fun!

Winter Salt Awareness Week: January 27th-31st

Winter weather means icy roads and walkways, but the overuse of salt can negatively impact your environment and Rouge River. Did you know that a 12 oz. mug holds enough salt to treat 10 sidewalk squares or a 20 foot driveway (about two parking spaces)? Tell your friends! For your Rouge River, too much salt can affect water quality, and in turn, harm aquatic plants, fish, and other wildlife. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe and protect our environment.

Check out National Winter Salt Awareness Week Events

Your Feedback Will Shape the Future: Survey Coming Soon to Your Inbox!

Friends of the Rouge has kicked-off 2025 with strategic planning to guide its work for the next several years. FOTR is committed to aligning efforts with the aspirations and needs of caring Friends like you, community partners, and those who live, work, and play in the watershed. Your insight makes this possible!

Look in your inbox next week for an email from Executive Director Ashley Flintoff with a link to access a survey administered by Together Together Consulting. You are warmly invited to participate to help FOTR define its impact, refine priorities, and shape our future direction together. Plan on 10-15 minutes to complete. Your responses are anonymous.

Welcome to 2025: A Note from Your Executive Director

As I sit at my desk watching new snowflakes gently fall, I’m reminded that January is a time for new beginnings. T.S. Eliot said “last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice…to make an end is to make a beginning.” I think this is what is so magical about the opportunity we create for ourselves every January – the chance to leave behind what was, and to reach out for what can be. Click the link below to read more about the exciting updates to come for Friends of the Rouge in 2025.

Read the Note from Ashley

What Makes the Rouge River Even Better?

YOU! Thank you, Friends. And a warm WELCOME to the newest Members and “Friends” of Friends of the Rouge who have recently joined:

Krystn Aversa, Kay Bedenis, Julia Bolto, William Brave, Claudia Buckalew, Mary Bugeia, William Burke, Jacqueline Garcia, Joe Gillon, Mark & Danae Hoerauf, Sarah Krzyzanski, Selena Lopez, Luke & Lindsey Lorincz, Paul Margetich, Julie Ann Matthews, Denise Milton, Korey Morris, Jen Mrozowski, Aaron Mustamaa, Samir & Vikki Narayan, Kay Neff, David & Laura Pauwels, David Saum, Alison Schopmeyer, Carol & Paul Weihe, Anthony Wesley, and other fabulous and anonymous new Friends!