Restoring the River
How we care for the land impacts water quality in our local lakes and rivers. The Restoration program teaches residents of the watershed how to manage their land to improve water quality and to provide wildlife habitat through hands-on projects and educational events.
Become RainSmart: Restoring your river, one yard at a time.
Flooded basements, flooded streets, and dirty creeks share a common cause, and that’s too much dirty water runoff during big storms. Time do your part—time to get RainSmart! Safeguard your home against flooding, and join the effort to restore your Rouge River by planting a rain garden! Explore below to get started.
Learn About Rain Barrels!
Learn About Rain Gardens!
Restoration Projects & Programs
Detroit Stormwater Specialist Training® (SWST)
Are you looking for an opportunity to earn $15 to $20 an hour? If so, this class is for you!
Rain Gardens
Explore below how you can protect the Rouge River, right in your own backyard!
Resources
Landscaping with Native Plants Adopt Green Landscaping for Clean Streams practices.
Invasive Plants
Learn more about how you can plant habitat and remove invasive plants!
Tree Plantings
You can make a difference and restore native habitat to support wildlife, reduce the risk of flooding and improve water quality!
Services for Hire
Our team of landscape architects and designers is ready to help you plan improvements to your landscape that maximize environmental benefits.
Protecting the Rouge at Home and in Your Yard
Explore how you can protect the Rouge River, right in your own backyard.
GSI Storymap
The Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Suitability Mapper is a tool created by Friends of the Rouge in 2024 to support planning of GSI projects across the Rouge river Watershed.
Project Archive
Learn more about FOTR’s past, present, and upcoming projects!