Watershed report Cards
With a D+ on our recent Rouge Watershed Report Card, some may wonder – what gives? Yet, that grade should be put in perspective: 55 years ago hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage and point source pollution were dumped in the river in a pre-Clean Water Act World where our river caught fire. Think of our pre-grade as an F. Now that D+ doesn’t sound so bad?
Friends of the Rouge spent three years working along with four other local watersheds (Clinton, Huron, Raisin and Detroit) to develop comprehensive report cards for each watershed as well as one overall report for the region, in a project spearheaded and funded by the Erb Family Foundation. While the physical environment plays a key role in our understanding of the region’s health, social and economic factors also weigh heavily into the overall health and quality of life for human and other living communities. The University of Maryland, who has developed report cards for waterbodies all over the world, guided the process. Check out the Eco Health Report Cards site for really nice detail on each of the methodologies used for the indicators.
While other surrounding watershed areas scored higher in the C grade, we can see incremental progress continue to happen with federal, state and local investments in many of the noted indicators of the report card. To learn more, sign up for a virtual webinar “How to fix Metro Detroit’s ailing watersheds” featuring Marie McCormick and Huron River’s Rebecca Esselman this Friday May 3 at 11 am. |
Apply for the StormWater Specialist Training
This workforce development program is designed to provide you with pathways towards living wage employment. Learn to maintain landscaping features like rain gardens and be a part of movement to protect the Rouge River, Detroit River, and Lake Erie. This 6 week, 12 class course will teach you how to weed native plant gardens, to identify native plants vs. weeds, conduct photo monitoring, identify soil types, understand and correct erosion and sediment issues, transplant and thin garden plants, and more! NO prior experience needed! Applications accepted on a rolling basis through May 7th, 2024. Class Times:
May 14th to June 20th
Tuesdays and Thursdays
10 am – 12 pm |
Pastries with Parents
You are invited to spend a morning in the sunshine chatting with parents in the garden! Kids of all ages, with their adults, are welcome! Start your morning with complimentary coffee and pastries. Then, enjoy the garden with new Friends as we make a difference together. Fresh air, native plant learning, music and conversation are all bonuses. Events are FREE to those who volunteer in the garden. Pre-registration is required.
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Your Rouge River Paddling Trip Awaits!
Are you ready to experience nature from the seat of a kayak? Join your Friends on upcoming paddle trips!
May 11: Spring Birding Paddle Trip with Detroit Bird Alliance May 18: Pride Paddle with the Queer Outdoors
Paddlers have the option to rent a canoe or kayak or bring their own boat. Please note, fees are due in advance for all attendees. Register today! |
Rain Gardens to the Rescue
Are you a home owner, business owner, or property owner? Do you have flooding and drainage issues? Ready to support pollinators with native plants? Here comes RAIN GARDENS TO THE RESCUE! Apply NOW for your very own rain garden! Gardens will be awarded to residents in River Rouge, South Detroit and Dearborn’s Southend. Applications due by Friday, May 10 – available in English, Spanish and Arabic! Participate in a 5-week course and install your new garden with Friends in 2024. Questions? Please email RainSmart@therouge.org.
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Attention all seasoned gardeners!
The expansive and beautiful PARC gardens are calling you! Share your expertise and love; join a small and committed group of green thumbs on a weekly basis to nurture the rain gardens at PARC. Connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts and enjoy the gardens as you build a greener, cleaner River and community! |
Rain Barrels and Composters, Oh my!
There is still time to select and pre-order rain barrels and composters for pick-up on Saturday May 18 at Canton DPW! SPRING into action today to save water and protect your Rouge River! Order deadline for Pick Up Rain Barrels and Composters is Monday May 6. |
Thank you Friends: Another Successful Bug Hunt Completed!
On Saturday, April 20th volunteers helped collect bugs that live in the river all throughout the watershed. Thirteen teams sampled 26 sites! A giant thank you to the wonderful volunteers who collect this valuable data as part of a long term effort to monitor stream health. The bugs that were collected will be identified, and each site will receive a score that indicates river health. Data will be put into a report that is then shared with volunteers, participating municipalities, and sponsors. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the amazing bug hunt volunteers for making the 2024 Spring Bug Hunt a success!
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Attention all Girl Scout and Boy Scout troop leaders!
Are you in search of exciting summer activities for your troops? Look no further! We’re thrilled to offer tailored volunteer opportunities focused on cleaning up our Rouge Watershed. The program includes engaging educational workshops aligned with badge qualifications, followed by a day of fun volunteering outdoors. Scouts will not only learn about environmental conservation but also actively contribute to their community. Safety measures are in place to ensure a rewarding and safe experience for all participants. Don’t miss out on this chance to combine learning, outdoor adventure, and community service – sign up today!
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Friends of the Rouge Welcomes Lian Anderson!
Lian started working with Friends of the Rouge in the fall of 2023 as a researcher through a collaboration between Friends of the Rouge and the University of Michigan. Her work aims to model the invasive Round Goby expansion upstream in the Lower Rouge River. Lian is a Marshall Weinberg Intern for the 2024 summer and will assist in fish surveys. Lian currently lives in Ann Arbor with her partner and their cat, Shimmer. She enjoys time outdoors, fiber arts, cooking, and gardening. Her favorite Michigan fish is the Johnny Darter.
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Congratulations Cyndi Ross!
Cyndi Ross, Friends of the Rouge Restoration Manger, was honored this Earth Day by Detroit Green Task Force with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is in recognition of significant contributions to advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship in Detroit – which Cyndi sure has! Cyndi has shared her passion, knowledge, and expertise with Friends for over 20 years through rain garden builds, cleanups and environmental restoration projects across Southeast Michigan. She continues to make a difference everyday in your Rouge River community through education and stewardship. Thank you Cyndi for your inspiring leadership to improve the Rouge Watershed!
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FOTR Seeks a New Executive Director
In partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is an ambassador and advocate for FOTR’s mission. The Executive Director is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission through relevant initiatives, strategic planning and fundraising, on-going integration of DEI and environmental justice in its work, as well as meeting financial objectives and oversight of the operations of the organization. |
Partner Events Sat. May 4, 8:30 am-11:30 am
Northville Parks and Recreation: Garlic Mustard Pull at Coldwater Springs
Sat. May 4, 9 am-Noon City of Plymouth: Rouge River Watershed Cleanup Event Sat. May 4, 9 am-Noon
Grosse Ile Nature Land Conservancy: Garlic Mustard Pull Volunteer Event Sat. May 4, 9 am-1 pm Greening of Detroit: Calimera Park Community Tree Planting Sat. May 4, 1 pm-2:30 pm Grosse Ile Nature Land Conservancy: Ribbit Ribbit: Michigan Frogs
Sun. May 5, 11 am-12:30 pm Friends of Rouge Park: Cinco de Flores Wildflower Walk Tuesday May 7, 8:30 am-4:30 pm Friends of Detroit River: Spring Detroit River Water Festival Wed. May 8, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm Downriver Community Conference: Open House Community Meeting Thu. May 9, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Downriver Community Conference: Open House Community Meeting
Sat. May 18 10am-1pm Friends of Rouge Park: Appreciation Day Annual Cleanup Sat. May 18, 9 am-Noon Farmington Hills Nature Center: Rouge River Volunteer day Oakland Conservation District
2024 Spring Tree & Shrub Sale – Order Online Now!
Take the 2024 Conservation Needs Assessment Survey
Live along a Lake? Please consider signing up to monitor your lake with the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program. |
| From Your Friend, Allison Operations Assistant |
A better River is made possible thanks to these supporters & in thanks to caring Friends like you
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