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.
Restoration 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!
Master Rain Gardener
Protect your home against flooding while helping birds & butterflies with a RAIN garden!
Sacred Grounds
A National Wildlife Federation Program that recognizes faith communities that create wildlife habitat and actively link faith practices and caring for the environment.
Rain Gardens to the Rescue
Detroit residents and civic leaders can prevent the pollution of our Great Lakes from overflow of stormwater by putting Rain Gardens to the Rescue!
Education
Check back in soon to find other opportunities to learn about rain gardens.
Tree Plantings
You can make a difference and restore native habitat to support wildlife, reduce the risk of flooding and improve water quality! Come back for more information.
Services for Hire
Our team of landscape architects and designers is ready to help you plan improvements to your landscape that maximize environmental benefits.
FOTR Store
You can find native plants, rain barrels, and more at the FOTR store.
Restoration Projects
Completed Projects
Check back in soon to learn more about FOTR’s past, present, and upcoming projects!
Restoration Resources
Rain Gardens
Explore below how you can protect the Rouge River, right in your own backyard!
Rain Barrels
You can help restore clean water to your Rouge River by using rain barrels in your yard, your business, or your organization.
Invasive Plants
Learn more about how you can plant habitat and remove invasive plants!
Rain Catchers Collective
Clean Rivers and Lakes for all!
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.
More Resources
Explore more plant and gardening resources!