Create an Account with Bloomerang Volunteer!
FOTR is now using Bloomerang Volunteer to help you explore events, sign up for opportunities, and track your volunteer hours. You can create your account in just a few minutes and once it’s set up, you won’t need to repeat the process again. New volunteer opportunities will be posted as they become available.
If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Marion Martyres, Volunteer Coordinator, at mmartyres@therouge.org. Whether you’re a new or longtime supporter, your volunteering makes all the difference!
Fall Native Plant Market: Pre-Sales Now Open!
Pre-order beautiful native plants, rain barrels, and more NOW for Fall! Save the date for the pick-up and same day Fall Native Plant Market with local vendors selling a variety of native plants on Saturday October 4 at Keep Growing Detroit Farm. Find what’s right for your yard today!
ORDER DEADLINES:
Order your pick-up native plant flats, rain barrels, & accessories by Monday, September 22.
Your Rouge River Paddling Trip Awaits!
Enjoy paddling the Rouge River with Friends! Connect with your River. Enjoy the peace of nature. And mark your calendar to join these upcoming paddle trip adventures!
July 19: Black Pack Paddle Trip
August 2: Summer Magic Paddle Trip & Health Fair presented by the Inkster Task Force and MetroParks. Vendors will be on hand to provide valuable resources, information, and giveaways. The Wayne State University Mobile Health Unit will be on hand to provide free health screenings. FREE boat rentals available for a limited time sponsored by MetroParks! For more information, visit https://bit.ly/InksterSummerMagic!
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.
Gals in the Garden
Enjoy a morning with the ladies! We’ll start out getting some fresh air while working in the gardens, then make bouquets from our beautiful flowers for you to take home! Enjoy some great company, fun conversation, and learn about native plants! No gardening experience required!
When: Saturday, July 19th, 9 am – 12 pm
Where: Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex, 650 Church St, Plymouth, MI 48170
All ages and gardening experience are welcome! It will be a wonderful way to start your weekend!
Detroit StormWater Specialist Training®
You are invited to be part of a green future. This workforce development program is designed to provide you with pathways towards living wage employment through the maintenance of important landscaping features that protect the Rouge River, Detroit River, and Lake Erie.
This 6 week, 12 class course will teach you how to weed native plant gardens, identify native plants vs. weeds, understand and correct erosion and sediment issues, transplant and thin garden plants, and more! NO prior experience needed!
Fall Cohort: July 22 – August 28, 2025.
Rain Gardens 101
Interested in rain gardens but don’t know where to start? This workshop is for you! This free one-hour introductory workshop will teach you what a rain garden is and how you can build one in your yard!
When: Saturday, August 9th, 10-11 am
Where: Dearborn Performing Arts Center
Rain gardens reduce neighborhood flooding and basement backups, while adding beauty to your yard. Learn how you can protect your home and your Rouge River with a rain garden.
Biennial Rouge Cruise: SOLD OUT!
Tickets for the upcoming Rouge Cruise have sold out. If you are interested in joining the waitlist for the Cruise please email Nicole Wilson at nwilson@therouge.org. Please include your name and the number in your party.
Is it a Snake or a Fish?
Last Tuesday, the fish team was out sampling the Upper Rouge when they encountered an unusual and rarely seen fish. Jerrad had been using the dip net in some detritus and found a wiggling, eel-like native fish called an American brook lamprey.
First found by a Team Leader during a Fall Bug Hunt, the American brook lamprey spends most of its life in the sediment as a blind filter-feeding larvae called an ammocoete. In five years or so, the larvae transforms into a fish with a sucker disc for a mouth. Adults do not feed nor do they parasitize fish like the non-native sea lamprey. They use their disc mouth during spawning and die soon after.
American brook lamprey require cool, clean streams with sand or gravel, making their presence an indication of good stream quality.
Rouge River Supporters
A better River is made possible thanks to these
supporters and in thanks to caring Friends like you
Upcoming Events
Sat, Jul 19 at 9 am: Gals in the Garden
Sat, Jul 19 at 9:30 am: Black Pack Paddle Trip
Wed, Jul 23 at 10 am: Redford Water Dept Rain Garden Spruce Up
Wed, Jul 30 at 10 am: Claude Allison Rain Garden Spruce Up
Sat, Aug 2 at 9:30 am: Summer Magic Paddle Trip and Health Fair
Partner Events
July 19, 9-11 am
Wayne County Parks: Bugtopia
July 19, 9:30 am-12 pm
Friends of Detroit River: Belle Isle Kayak Cleanup
July 19, 1-2:30 pm
Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy: Sustainable Landscapes
July 26, 1 pm
Detroit Bird Alliance: Corrado Park – Butterflies, Birds & Bees Walk
July 27, 2-4 pm
National Wildlife Federation Sacred Grounds: Rain Garden Maintenance Workshop
July 29, 9 am
EGLE: Spotting the Spotted Lanternfly: What to Know and What You Can Do
National Wildlife Federation: Applications open for the next Sacred Grounds/GSI Cohort
Michigan Environmental Council: Better Bottle Bill
Job Opportunities
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition: Project Manager
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum Natural Areas Stewardship Technician
For other job opportunities please visit:
Great Lakes Email Groups – Great Lakes Commission
Conservation Job Board – Find Conservation & Environmental Jobs
Categories
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News & EventsLearn more about upcoming FOTR events and projects
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NewslettersThe Rouge Rundown is our biweekly newsletter. Click to read past editions.