Volunteers (like you!) are the people who make it possible to restore and protect your Rouge River right here in southeast Michigan. No special skill or experience is required. See upcoming volunteer opportunities below, or explore further below for links to program pages to find out how you can join the effort to protect and restore the Rouge River. Friends of the Rouge is able to accomplish so much with the help of thousands of volunteers every year. We offer both one day and long-term volunteer projects. Please use the links to learn more.
If you don’t see the volunteer opportunity you are looking for, check back in and find the opportunity that is just right for you!
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Friends of the Rouge installed 23,000 sq ft of native gardens around the Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex (PARC) to improve community water quality. Called rain gardens, these working gardens filter pollutants from rainwater to keep them out of our Rouge River Watershed. We can‘t maintain these beautiful native gardens without you, our wonderful community…
Continue Reading 2025 PARC Rain Garden Events
We need your eyes, hands, and boots on the ground! No prior experience is necessary, but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Children eight and older are welcome when accompanied by a PARTICIPATING adult; groups limited to four people. We really value your participation. If you do sign up, your team will be counting on you to be…
Continue Reading Bug Hunt Events and Training
Training is offered every spring for those who would like to commit to surveying wetlands twice a month March through July and record what species of frogs and toads are calling. Information and materials are provided at the annual trainings. 2026 Training Workshop Check back next year to see details for the 2026 training session!…
Continue Reading Rouge Frog & Toad Survey Training
Become a Community Scientist!
Our River Monitoring program engages residents to become community scientists, collecting data about the health of the watershed through biological indicator species (bugs, frogs, fish, etc.) that reflect the long-term health of the watershed. As water quality improves, bugs frogs and fish are returning.
Learn more.
