Rouge Rundown10.30.2024

2026 Paddle Trip Registration is Now Open!

Mark your calendars! The 2026 Lower Rouge River Paddle Trips are open for registration.

While you may still see snow on the ground, the End of Winter Paddle Trip is just around the corner! Join us on March 21st at Ford Field Park for the first paddle of the year!

Friends of the Rouge is looking for experienced paddlers to support the planned paddle trips throughout the 2026 season. Interested in being a part of the 2026 Trip Crew Volunteers? Click below to learn more and sign up today.

Join the FOTR Trip Crew

Learn All About Rain Gardens!

Join your Friends at this one-hour introductory presentation to learn about rain gardens and how you can build one in your own yard. Rain gardens reduce neighborhood flooding, basement backups, and pollution flowing into the Rouge River. Held in the auditorium at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, this workshop is free and open to the public.

When: Saturday, February 21st at 11 AM

Where: Henry Ford Centennial Library Auditorium in Dearborn

No supplies are necessary, but feel free to bring note-taking materials if you are planning on taking notes.

Croak! Frog and Toad Survey

Join your Friends in monitoring local amphibian populations by volunteering for the annual Frog & Toad Survey! Each volunteer will be assigned a quarter square mile survey block area that includes wetlands. On warm, damp evenings from March through July, volunteers will independently visit their assigned survey block after dark several times each month and listen for the callings of frogs and toads.

Volunteers will learn to identify the breeding calls of the seven frogs and one toad found in the watershed. All new surveyors must attend the training workshop on Saturday, February 21st, 2026, from 10 am – 12 pm at the Livonia Civic Center Library, 32777 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154. Returning surveyor attendance is recommended, but not required.

Become a Master Rain Gardener

Click for More Information

Are you ready to transform your lawn into a living habitat and stormwater solution? This is the class for you! Rain gardens help protect your home against flooding while also supporting birds and butterflies. In this class we help you design and plan for 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 2,000 rain gardens built by homeowners just like you! Learn what works and what doesn’t. This class also includes an optional in-person tour of a rain garden.

Earn your certification – including a t-shirt and sign – by building your own rain garden or adopting a public rain garden.

Dates: Five Wednesdays: March 25th, April 1st, April 8th, April 15th, April 22nd
Location: Henry Ford Centennial Library
Time: 6 pm – 7:30 pm

Monitoring Team Kicks off First Johnson Creek Land Conservation Meeting

Map of Johnson Creek

FOTR convened the first meeting of an advisory committee to examine land parcels in the Johnson Creek watershed for potential conservation. Funded by a grant from EGLE, FOTR has been working with OHM Advisors and Six Rivers Land Conservancy to develop a model that prioritizes land based on factors like wetlands and forests and proximity to the creek.

Over 33 people including residents and representatives from land conservancies, local governments, non-profits and more attended the meeting hosted at Northville Township Hall. Participants viewed the prioritized map and met by geographical area of interest to identify and discuss potential areas for protection. This was the first of three meetings to be held between now and next year.

PFAs Chemicas Threaten the Rouge

Chemicals known as PFAS continue to be found in Rouge River water, sediment, and fish at levels that threaten our health. Detroit Riverkeeper Bob Burns highlights the fact that our wastewater treatment plants are significant sources yet many are not required to or do not yet have the technology to remove these pollutants at the same time that regulations are being weakened not strengthened.

Read Bob’s Commentary

Your Input is Needed!

Have you ever volunteered with Friends of the Rouge? You are invited to respond to a quick survey about your volunteer experience. Whether you have volunteered with the restoration, trails, or monitoring program, your feedback is highly appreciated and will help shape future events to better serve your needs.

Please complete the survey by Monday, February 16th. If you have any questions, please contact Marion Martyres, Volunteer Coordinator at mmartyres@therouge.org.

Provide Your Feedback here