Rouge Rundown – November 29, 2023 New Job Opening | Salt Water? | Thank You & More!
November 29, 2023 ROUGE RUNDOWN
Thank You Friends for your Caring Hearts and Mighty Rouge River Impact!
A river full of thanks to you, Friends. Your kindness, generosity, and care during the month of November thru Giving Tuesday raised a whopping $26,055! Hooray – Ribbit!!
That is the value of over 13,000 newly planted Michigan trees and plants; 3 new large working rain gardens; or 500+ volunteers engaged in River clean-ups, log-jam clearing, frog/bug/fish monitoring, student riverside education, tree planting, rain garden installing, and hands-on action for a clean water future.
Thank you Friends! You make wonderful things possible, right here for your Rouge River and your community.
FOTR Funded to Assess Chloride Contamination
FOTR is excited to announce a Watershed Council Grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) that will enable us to assess the extent of chloride impairment in the Rouge River. If you’ve joined a Bug Hunt or Stonefly Search since 2020, you may have seen Friends using test strips to sample for chloride. Alarmingly high levels of this contaminant have been found. Chloride often ends up in rivers due to over application of road salt.
Friends will be testing out four different methods of data collection. The results will be used to examine the accuracy of the test strips and to submit sites with high levels to EGLE for potential impairment decisions. Attend the January 20 Stonefly Search to see the test for road salt in action!
Are you Friendly and an administrative whiz? Friends of the Rouge is looking for a full-time Operations Assistant to join the team.
The Operations Assistant assists the Executive Director, Operations Director, and Development team with general administrative, events, fundraising, and communication tasks. This position requires someone to be physically present in the FOTR office a minimum of 4 days a week during regular open hours, Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Friends of the Rouge extends a huge thank you to Renato Marimon! Renato served as Restoration Coordinator in his two years at Friends of the Rouge and inspired and engaged Friends on the River and off. He is completing his Masters thesis and this Friends’ team wishes him all the best in finishing this milestone and in his future endeavors. Renato will be missed by all!
Master Rain Gardener Registration Open
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 below to see if you may qualify!
Do you have a rain garden, rain barrel, or pollinator garden in your yard? Are you interested in seeing what green solutions your neighbors have created? It’s time to visit the MAP!
Explore the new Rainscaping in Southeast Michigan map to discover where rain gardens and other green solutions are in your neighborhood. Then, put YOUR “dot” on the map as you join the green solution crowd.
Native Plant Kits Bring Butterflies to the Yard: The Perfect Gift for Your Nature Lover!
Are you looking for a special gift for your loved ones? Maybe a unique look for your own front yard? Do you love butterflies & songbirds? The Rouge Store is now OPEN for you for pre-orders of native plants and rain barrels for pick-up in Spring 2023! Discover the joy of gardening with vibrant, unique, and hardy plants that want to grow right here in Southeast Michigan. Select that special kit now – then it’s off to a wonderful start in the spring!
