Rouge Rundown – September 21, 2022 – Apply for Your Rain Garden | Fall Impact | Doug the Frog & MORE!

September 21, 2022
ROUGE RUNDOWN

Another Awesome Paddle Trip is in the Books!

Thank you to all who participated in the annual Fall Industrial Paddle Trip, paddling from Kessey Fieldhouse to Belanger Park! This inspiring stretch of living history and industry features one of a kind draw bridges, the Ford Rouge Plant, Zug Island, and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge as it rises from the shores of the Detroit River. Are you ready for your next paddle adventure? Are you brave enough to try the “Haunted” Paddle? Click the button below!

Last Chance! Rain Barrel Order Deadline on Sunday 9/25 @ 11:59 PM

Are you thinking about Spring? Now is the perfect time! Don’t miss the spring rains! Purchase your rain barrel now, so you’re ready to go when it warms up next Spring. Enjoy the feeling of doing good for the world by tapping into free water from the sky for your home and gardens!

Learn More & Purchase

Funding Available for Your New Rain Garden: Apply Today!

Do you dream of a home or community rain garden for you and your neighbors? Announcing funding for twelve new rain gardens. Apply through the link below for your low-or-no cost rain garden and make your dream a reality! Priority communities include: Detroit, Redford, Highland Park, and Dearborn’s South End. A giant thank you to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for making this program possible.

Learn More & Apply

Plant Trees in Dearborn’s South End

Get your hands dirty planting trees this fall! Join Friends of the Rouge and Wildlife Habitat Council for two tree planting work days on Oct 14 and Oct 15 at Lapeer Park. Trees play a vital role in filtering stormwater, mitigating the effects of flooding, and beautifying neighborhoods.

Rouge River Revived: A New Book on Your River, Featuring FOTR Authors

Rouge River Revived: How People Are Bringing Their River Back to Life is now available for direct order! Edited by Great Lakes scientist and scholar John Hartig, and former FOTR Executive Director Jim Graham. Contributing chapter authors include FOTR members, partners, and staff.

“The subject is of national significance in that the Rouge River was once one of the most polluted watersheds in America. Its well-documented and well-told stories are beacons of hope in difficult environmental times.”

Order your copy today! Save 30% with promo code: UMF22

Order Your Copy Here!

Share Extra LOVE for Rouge Trees this Fall

Love trees? Did you join Friends to reforest the Lower Rouge River this Spring? You can share even more love with these newly planted trees—and better ensure their survival for years to come. In October, volunteer with Friends to install weed mats that will support the growth of trees planted last spring and join the movement to reforest your River!

Volunteer for the Trees in October!

Rain Gardens to the Rescue (RGttR) End of Year Celebration at Detroit’s Riverside Park!

Your support for programs like RGttR creates cleaner and more beautiful community greenspaces! This year’s garden recipients and past participants celebrated the 9 new rain gardens planted over the summer. All of these new gardens will manage, store, and clean stormwater runoff for a cleaner River and a more vibrant community!

Love Your River? Sign-up to Volunteer with Friends this Fall!

Are you looking for ways to get involved this Fall? Click the button and explore upcoming opportunities to get your hands dirty for clean water! You are invited to build new rain gardens and spruce up existing rain gardens. You can be the difference for a cleaner, brighter future for the Rouge River and for your community! Sign-up today and discover the meditative calm of gardening with Friends.

Meet Doug, the One-legged Green Frog

Froggy-lover and 7th grader Nathan, enlisted his family to save a local Green frog this summer. The injured Green frog, named Doug, was found with a missing left rear leg. With nursing support from Friends of the Rouge and Michigan State University frog experts, Nathan and family lovingly rehabilitated this lucky frog back to health. That’s one more happy Green frog back in your Rouge River, thanks to the loving care of Nathan and family! A warm Ribbet of thanks!

Watch Doug’s Swim Test & Release!

Upcoming Events

Wed./Thu./Fri. Sept. 21 – 23, HIGHLAND PARK

Wayne Metro Rain Garden Build

Thurs. Sept 22, 11am – 2pm, DETROIT

Eastside Detroit Rain Garden Installation

Fri. Sept. 23, 10am – Noon, SALEM

Rain Garden Spruce-up at Salem Township Hall

Sat. Sept. 24, 9am – Noon, WESTLAND

Merriman Hollow Workday

Sat. Sept 24, 9am – Noon, DETROIT

Eastside Detroit Rain Garden Installation