A Note from Ashley, Your FOTR Executive Director

As I sit at my desk watching new snowflakes gently fall, I’m reminded that January is a time for new beginnings. T.S. Eliot said “last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice…to make an end is to make a beginning.” I think this is what is so magical about the opportunity we create for ourselves every January – the chance to leave behind what was, and to reach out for what can be.

There is so much to look forward to from Friends of the Rouge in 2025, starting with our Stonefly search on Saturday, January 25th. I’m looking forward to putting on my waders (and layers!) and searching the riverine habitat for larvae that help us monitor the health of the Rouge. Beyond Stoneflies, our Monitoring Team is assessing the data we gathered in 2024 and planning out our Frog and Toad program, scheduling fish and bug surveys, and working to develop partnerships to continue monitoring nonpoint source contaminants across the watershed.

Our Restoration Team is hard at work developing plant palettes, laying out rain gardens, and scheduling installations. We’re also focusing on deepening our rain garden educational programming, so keep an eye out for our Rain Garden 101 workshops, Rain Gardens to the Rescue and Master Rain Gardener classes, and calls to join our Stormwater Specialist Training cohorts. 

This year will be a banner year for our Water Trail program as well. The 2025 Paddle trip dates are being confirmed and will be announced in the coming weeks. Additionally, we are ecstatic to be able to break ground on not one but two exciting construction projects this year: the Rouge Gateway Greenway Phase II will begin extend along the Lower Rouge from the trailhead in Dearborn near the old Andiamo site to the Henry Ford Museum campus at Village Road and the Southfield Freeway Service Drive. Additionally, an expansion of the Fort Street Bridge Park will be constructed, adding a new fishing and viewing pier, seating, kayak rack, accessible vehicle drop-off areas, and Detroit’s first and only universally accessible kayak launch on the Rouge River.

I’m also thrilled to be (re)starting our Strategic Plan process this month. Friends of the Rouge has engaged the firm Together Together to assist us with a deep dive into our role within the watershed and developing a strong strategy for how we move forward as stewards of the Rouge. This process will take approximately six months to complete and we will be reaching out to all of our Friends throughout the process for your feedback and suggestions. 

Please remember to save the date for the return of the Rouge Cruise this summer – I’m told tickets are in high demand and sell out quickly! Lastly, I’m looking forward to beginning to plan for FOTR’s 40th Anniversary in 2026. 

As always, none of this would be possible without the love and support of our Friends. Thank you for all you do for this organization and I hope to see you at any one of our incredible events in 2025!