De-Icers: Too Much of a Good Thing? De-icers are an important product we use to keep our roadways and sidewalks safe, but they are also harming our Rouge River and the life in it. Just like everything else, that salty water makes its way directly – or indirectly through storm drains – to the river.
Your Friends of the Rouge team has been testing for salt (chloride) levels since 2020. From the FOTR Fall Bug Hunt report, “seven sites had toxic levels of chloride.” Chloride de-icing salts, including pet-friendly salts, harm or kill important aquatic life in our Rouge River – bugs and fish both.
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Full-time Job Opportunity: Restoration Field Coordinator Do you love to work outside and want to better your Rouge River? FOTR seeks experienced environmental professionals for hands-on restoration and community work. The Field Coordinator will work closely with volunteers and staff for on-the-ground Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) projects, garden maintenance and habitat restoration. Apply by Feb. 9th. |
Last Call for Stonefly Searchers: Registration is Open Love Michigan outdoors in the winter? Join your Friends for this special community science event! Volunteer for the annual Stonefly Search on January 20th, 2024. Volunteers visit sites throughout the headwaters of the watershed and search for stoneflies. Stoneflies are very sensitive aquatic insects that hatch from streams in winter. The presence or absence of these streambed creatures reflects the quality of the water and habitat. |
New Year, New Yard! Become a Master Rain Gardener in 2024 Join the ever growing community of Master Rain Gardeners across Southeast Michigan! Protect your home against flooding and help birds, bees and butterflies with a RAIN garden! You’ll learn *everything* the instructors know about rain gardens. Registration is now open for winter 2024 virtual course beginning Jan 25th from 10am to noon. Sign up now for the early bird pricing. Select communities could register for FREE– click the link to see if you may qualify! |
Apply for a 2024 Community Rain Garden Do you own a business, attend a house of worship, work for a non-profit or know of a community site that could benefit from a rain garden in Detroit, Dearborn or River Rouge? Applicants from zip codes 48217, 48120, 48126, and 48218 are encourage to receive training, materials, and professional support to build a beautiful, large-scale rain garden with help from your community volunteers! Rain gardens are a great asset to any property. These gardens manage stormwater, provide habitat for butterflies, create a beautiful living ecosystem in your yard! Apply by Feb. 29, 2024. |
Start Dreaming for Spring The Rouge Store is now OPEN for pre-orders of native plants, rain barrels, composters and more for pick-up in Spring 2024! Select your native plant kit now – and be ready for gardening come spring. You can also hire our expert landscapers to help you build your new yard vision! |
Proposed Salem Wastewater Plant Threatens Fellows Creek Health Friends of the Rouge Executive Director, Marie McCormick, was on WXYZ-TV Channel 7 on December 20, 2023 to talk about the impacts the proposed Salem Township wastewater treatment facility would impact biodiversity at Fellow’s Creek and the health of the Rouge River. “There are slivers of high-quality streams remaining in our watershed in southeast Michigan, and Fellows Creek is one of those,” said McCormick. |
Meandering Shorers by Joe Jenio Meandering shores, mud banks, foliage layered with spines… And there among the thorny bushes, & nettles that border our thoughts, lie the dark shadows of doubt, fear, & ennui, all of them waiting to ensnare & cut like barbed wire, restraining our movement, hemming in our imagination… Find the open path descending to the banks… Don’t try to escape, ride – long the Rouge river, tides subside, deltas rise, traverse the current, momentum your guide… Raise your awareness out of the mire… The water flows free from border bushes, find the path of power that resides… Use the gentle & mighty current to transport you to the meadow filled with mallards at play… The grasses where the pasture of overflowing joy & love reside… Unite those like minds to experience the unencumbered borders… The river elevates everyone out of the shallows of limitations, finding joy in the journey… |
I’m a new Text block ready for your content. |
| From Your Friend, Lauren Monitoring Manager |
A better River is made possible thanks to these supporters & in thanks to caring Friends like you |
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