You are Invited: It’s Your 1st Fall Friends Fest! You are invited to celebrate Fall, your River, and the beautiful impact that YOU make possible. Mark your calendar and join Friends for a beautiful day at Ford Field Park in Dearborn. Enjoy decorations from the Haunted Paddle! Toast s’mores. Connect with Friends at interactive Rouge River tents. Treats and tricks abound! This family-friendly event is FREE. Costumes are optional. See you on the River! Saturday, October 19, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Ford Field Park, 22051 Cherry Hill St, Dearborn, MI 48124 |
Apply for the StormWater Specialist Training
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, 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 September 20th, 2024.
Class Times:
September 23rd to October 31st
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Class Location:
St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center,
19321 W. Chicago, Detroit, 48228
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Rouge Fish Team Rises to the Challenge Your Rouge Fish Team has had one of its most challenging field seasons in its 12 year history of fish surveys. After postponing and rescheduling the survey dates due to rain, the last site – Rouge Park, Detroit – was finished on September 11, with 25 sites successfully surveyed.
The Rouge River is a very flashy system—an inch of rain can cause the river to rise many feet. This is because clay soils and paved surfaces cause most rain to run off directly into the Rouge River, rather then soaking into the ground and traveling slowly underground to reach the Rouge. In the image above, the red line indicates the high water level after heavy rains just a few weeks prior. If Friends had tried to survey then, long-time friend and fish expert, Phil Kukulski would have been under about five feet of water!
Your 2024 Rouge River fish survey is now complete. Look for some of the exciting and troubling findings to be shared with you in upcoming weeks as the data is analyzed. |
Fall Native Plant Market for All: And Last Call for Pre-Orders!
Fall is a fantastic time to plant Michigan Native Plants. Order yours along with rain barrels, composters, and more! Then, save the date for the pick-up and enjoy the incredible offerings at the same-day-sale at the Fall Native Plant Market. This sale is open to all (whether you are picking up a pre-order or not).
Shop the Fall Native Plant Market at Keep Growing Detroit – right next to Eastern Market – on Saturday, October 5. Select from a variety of native plants sold on-site by multiple local vendors. Enjoy a beautiful Fall day at Eastern Market! Pre-Order Deadlines:
Pick-Up Plants: Friday, September 20
Pick-Up Rain Barrels + Composters: Friday, September 27 Day of Sale at the Fall Native Plant Market Saturday, October 5 11AM – 2PM, Keep Growing Detroit |
Your Fall Birding & Paddle Experience Awaits!
If you love birding and you love to paddle, this is the trip for you! Join Friends of the Rouge and the Detroit Bird Alliance for the Fall Open Water Birding Paddle Trip on Newburgh Lake on Saturday October 5 at 9:00 AM. See the amazing fall colors and explore the bird species of the Rouge! |
Fall Bug Hunt: Be a Part of the Community Science Movement!
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 2024 Fall Bug Hunt. Volunteers will be divided into teams prior to arrival, and then visit two sites throughout the headwaters of the Rouge watershed and search for aquatic invertebrates. Children must be at least 8 years of age, and be accompanied by a participating adult. Register by September 30th. Event Date: Saturday October 12, 2024 10am-3pm
If you have attended a Bug Hunt or Stonefly Search or have some experience with benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, take the next step and become a Team Leader. The next Team Leader training will be held on Saturday, September 28th from 9am-1pm. |
Job Opportunities: Friends is Growing
Are you looking for a new position in 2024 and a way to make a real difference for a better world? Friends of the Rouge is hiring for multiple positions. Click the button below – your new role awaits! |
| From Your Friend, Sally Watershed Ecologist |
A better River is made possible thanks to these supporters & in thanks to caring Friends like you
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