Join the Stonefly Search
You are invited to become a Rouge Community Scientist and join the Stonefly Search!
Stoneflies are a primitive group of insects named for their habit of crawling on stones in a river. Most stoneflies have high oxygen needs, restricting them to clean well-oxygenated streams. Because of this, they are good indicators of stream quality. Where they are found, the stream is in relatively good health. Some stoneflies hatch in winter which is why Friends of the Rouge volunteers search for them in January.
Your eyes, hands, and boots on the ground are needed as part of this important search! No prior experience is necessary, but pre-registrations is required.
Become a Master Rain Gardener – Live Online!
Design your own rain garden step-by-step during class. Become the neighborhood expert!
Protect your home against flooding & help birds, & butterflies with a RAIN garden! You will learn *everything* you need to know to create your own rain garden. That includes lessons learned from more than 2,000 rain gardens built by homeowners just like you! Learn what works and what doesn’t. Ask questions in our live class! Visit a rain garden in person! Neighborhood virtual breakout rooms and Facebook group for discussion/homework. Earn your certification – including a t-shirt and sign – by building your own rain garden or adopting a public rain garden.
LOCATION: LIVE VIRTUAL Classroom with In-Person Tours
DATES: Five Thursdays, Feb 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2026.
TIME: 10am – Noon. Optional office hours 9-9:45am.
Share Your Rouge Story!
Whether you’ve volunteered, attended an event, or supported the Rouge River in any way, FOTR wants to recognize and appreciate your efforts. You are invited to submit your Rouge story on our website and highlight any experience with our organization that you would like to share. By telling your story, you inspire others to get involved and emphasize the importance of community and environmental stewardship.
Your story may be featured on our website, social media, or volunteer spotlights to celebrate the impact of getting involved. A cleaner, healthier Rouge River is made possible every day because of your dedication and support.
Will You Adopt Me?
If you have a smart phone and don’t mind getting out along the river once a week, please consider adopting one of these lovely new gages. Adoption involves visiting the gage weekly to check on it and more frequently if it rains. If it does rain, you take a photo of the gage showing the water level and answer a few questions. As the flooding goes down, you visit a few times to take more photos. This is part of a program to better understand flooding in the area.
Check the map for purple marked sites that still need adoption. If you find a gage you want to adopt, click on the button “I want to adopt a gage” to sign up.
Thank you Rouge River Heroes!!!
Thanks to you we raised $26,300 on Giving Tuesday!
Your River is beyond grateful for you.
Your generosity helps us get back on the road with a new outreach van, so we can bring more students, volunteers, and neighbors face-to-face with the magic of your River.
Your support, will plant more trees, host more events, and monitor the health of your River more effectively than ever.
It’s your compassion that fuels our purpose and keeps our mission moving forward—thank you for being the heart of our work. Thank you for your kindness and for joining us in creating a better future for your River.
With gratitude to your matching partners: Bosch, the Friends of the Rouge Board of Directors, and fellow Friend Laraine Deutsch.
FOTR Apparel
Looking to represent your Friends of the Rouge? Great news! You can now order your own FOTR gear that ships directly to your door. From baseball caps to sweatshirts, you can show that you are a friend to your hometown River. Click the button below to explore the official Friends of the Rouge Merch options today!
Rain Catchers Collective 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!
Rouge River Supporters
A better River is made possible thanks to these
supporters and in thanks to caring Friends like you
Upcoming Events
Saturday, Jan 24 at 10 AM: Stonefly Search
Thursdays from Feb 26 – March 26: Become a Master Rain Gardener
Partner Events
Dec 13, 9 AM
Detroit Bird Alliance: Cemetery Bird and History Walk
Dec 16, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
EGLE: Submitting Complaints and Reporting Environmental Concerns
December 20, 12:30 PM
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge: “Zaagiing” Mural Unveiling Celebration
Now through Oct 1st, 2026
Western Michigan University: Participatory Science Opportunity PFAS Foam Study on Lakes
Job Opportunities
Friends of the Rouge Development Director
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.