Fish Demonstration Sept. 11
If you are interested in learning more about the fish that live in the Rouge River, please join FOTR and Trout Unlimited at Fish Hatchery Park in Northville on Sept. 11, 6-8 pm.
You will have the chance to observe how we sample for fish, see the fish in a viewing tank, learn about the fish we catch as well as the importance of Johnson Creek. Staff from ECT will also highlight the habitat restoration work done at the park.
Garden Spruce Up Events
Join your Friends at Claude Allison Park in Redford to spruce up the rain gardens! There are multiple opportunities to participate. Please sign up for any day that you are available to make a difference in your community and your Rouge River.
Dates: September 17th, October 1st, October 15th from 10 AM – 1 PM
Where: Claude Allison Park, 18250 Beech Daly, Redford Charter Twp
All ages and gardening experience welcome! Work may include removing weeds and planting more native plants. No need to bring anything with you except a water bottle.
Gals in the Garden
Enjoy a morning with the ladies! You’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, September 20, 9 am – 12 pm
Where: Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex
All ages and gardening experience are welcome! It will be a wonderful way to start your weekend!
Canton Township Native Garden Planting
Come plant some beautiful native gardens in front of the Canton Township Administration Building! The Michigan native plants used in these gardens will add colorful blooms and create food and habitat for native wildlife. There will be three days of planting fun. You are invited to join for any day or all of them!
When: October 3 and 4 from 9 AM – Noon and Sunday October 5 from 1 – 4 PM
Where: 1150 Canton Ctr Rd, Canton
All ages and gardening experience welcome! Gloves, tools, and water will be provided.
Your Fall Paddling Trip Awaits!
Enjoy paddling the Rouge River with Friends! Spend a beautiful fall morning connecting with nature.
October 4: Fall Birding Paddle with the Detroit Bird Alliance. If you love birding and you love to paddle, this is the trip for you! See the amazing fall colors and explore the bird species of the Rouge.
October 18: Haunted Paddle Trip. You are invited to join the spooky, fun, one-of-a-kind, Haunted Paddle Trip!
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.
Fall Native Plant Market
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.
Volunteers Needed for Fall Bug Hunt
You are invited to take part in the community-wide effort to measure the health of your Rouge River by monitoring “Bugs”! Join your Friends for the 2025 Fall Bug Hunt on Saturday October 11, from 10am to approximately 4 pm. No experience is necessary, just an interest in what lives in the river. Children 8 and older are welcome with a participating adult; groups no larger than four.
Pre-registration is required. FOTR has a new sign up procedure for all volunteer events. Once you create an account for any event, you should be able to easily sign up for any of our events. Click below for a video tutorial if you need help.
Lauren Eaton Featured in Meet a Monitor
Your FOTR Monitoring Manager Lauren Eaton was featured by the Izaak Walton League of American in their Meet a Monitor Feature in August. Check it out to learn about Lauren’s story from lakeside childhood to river advocate, how she leads by example, connects people to communities and her words of advice.
New Limited Edition Garden tile
Add a pop of year-round color to your native garden with this beautiful limited edition garden tile! All created locally by Pewabic pottery studio to celebrate the Southeast Michigan watershed collaboration: the Rain Catchers Collective. This 4×6 tile is the perfect way to bring a little joy to your outdoor space, while showing your support for our clean water mission!
Hurry! Only a small batch is available. Buy yours today while supplies last.
Rouge River Supporters
A better River is made possible thanks to these
supporters and in thanks to caring Friends like you
Upcoming Events
Thurs Sept 11 6-8 pm Fishing Demonstration with Trout Unlimited
Sat, Sept 13, 9 am: Claude Allison Park Rain Garden Event
Wed, Sep 17 and Oct 1 at 10 am: Claude Allison Rain Garden Maintenance Event – Redford
Sat, Sep 20 at 9 am: Gals in the Garden
Wed, Sep 24 at 10 am: Redford Water Department Monthly Rain Garden Spruce-Up
Fri, Sep 26 at 2 pm: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Addams Elementary School
Sat Sep 27 and Sun Sep 28: Dearborn Public Library Branches Rain Garden Planting
Fri Oct 3, Sat Oct 4, and Sun Oct 5: Canton Township Native Garden Planting
Sat, Oct 4 at 9 am: Fall Birding Paddle
Sat, Oct 4 at 11 am: Fall Native Plant Sale
Sat, Oct 11 at 9 am: Fall Bug Hunt
Weekly Volunteer Opportunity on Thursday Evenings: Grow Hamtramck Outreach – Email jkristofik@therouge.org to learn more.
Partner Events
Sep 13, 1 pm to 5 pm
Friends of Rouge Park: Buffalo Soldiers and Blues Freedom Festival at Rouge Park
Sep 14, 10 am
Detroit Bird Alliance: Be a Better Birder: Gardening for Birds
Sep 15, 9 am
EGLE: SepticSmart 2025: Septic Systems and the Environment
Results are available from the MiCorps Aquatic Invasive Species Detection Blitz: 2025 AIS Detection Blitz Results Here
Job Opportunities
Friends of the Rouge Development Director
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.