Alliance of Rouge Communities

08/05/2026

📝How can you help the Rouge River Watershed from home in less than 10 minutes?✍
Take the ARC survey! Your answers will help the Alliance of Rouge Communities determine how to direct our future activities!
Link to ARC survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/arcsurvey26

08/03/2026

How do native plants help pollinators and you?
Here’s a great example! In our habitat restoration projects, we often include a native plant called “rattlesnake master” as part of out planting mix. This plant attracts pollinators such as the Great Black Wasp shown here. This wasp is a solitary wasp that DOES NOT sting people unless mistreated.
Please don’t kill these wasps out of fear! Their larvae eats paralyzed katydids and grasshoppers. They are a friend to gardeners – they help control pests that chew on crops and garden plants. They also help pollinate milkweed, carrot and beans. Next time when you see rattlesnake master and the Great Black Wasp, cheer for their great collaboration!

07/29/2026

Mark your calendar for August 8th to join the Friends of the Rouge and Inkster Task Force for the 3rd annual Inkster Summer Magic paddle trip and health fair. As you begin and end your paddle, take a moment to see the habitat restoration at Venoy Dorsey and Colonial Parks! Visit our website for information on the habitat restoration at both parks!
https://www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/venoy.html
https://www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/colonial.html

Ready for some summer magic? 🌟Join Friends of the Rouge and the Inkster Task Force for the 3rd annual Inkster Summer Magic paddle trip and health fair. On August 8th, launch from Venoy Dorsey Park in Westland and paddle downstream to Colonial Park in Inkster. 🛶

There will be a health fair at Colonial Park with free resources available from 9am-1pm, no registration is required to attend the health fair. 💙

Register for the paddle trip here: https://motorcitycanoerental.com/events.php

Motor City Canoe Rental - Oakwoods Metropark Wayne County Parks Wayne County, Michigan Inkster Task Force Huron-Clinton Metroparks National Kidney Foundation of Michigan

07/22/2026

Come see the ARC at Bugtopia at Nankin Mills Interpretive Center in Westland this Saturday! Our booth will have:

🐝Coloring Contest! Chance for your coloring page to be our Facebook cover photo
🐛Native seed packets!
🐜Information about the Rouge River Watershed and how you can help protect it!

We are one week away from Bugtopia at the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center in Westland!

07/20/2026

Work has begun in the City of Westland - Administration on Merriman Hollow Park Habitat Implementation!

07/16/2026

Check out this quarterly speaker series offered by Friends of the Rouge!

🌱 How do you restore a landscape, one habitat at a time? Join us as Rick Simek, Natural Areas Manager at Environmental Interpretive Center at University of Michigan-Dearborn, shares how a decade of intentional stewardship is transforming the 120 acre Environmental Study Area next to Fair Lane.

📅 Sunday, July 26 | 2–4 PM
📍 Fair Lane Estate
✨ Part of this program will take place outdoors
🎟 $20 tickets include admission + light refreshments

Only 100 seats are available — reserve yours today and be part of the Rouge River’s ongoing story.

A River of Knowledge is brought to you by Ford's Garage and sponsored by Carmeuse, uniting passionate speakers and curious minds in support of the Rouge.

Purchase your tickets at: THEROUGE.ORG/2026SPEAKERSERIES

07/07/2026

Great things happening in the Rouge!!

07/02/2026

🍔🌭 Planning a cookout this 4th of July weekend? As you enjoy your favorite meals, remember to keep fats, oils, and grease (FOG) out of your sink and drains.

Let grease cool, collect it in a container, and throw it in the trash. Before washing dishes, wipe greasy pots, pans, and plates with a paper towel, and never rinse grease down the drain with hot water. If you have leftover cooking oil, mix it with an absorbent material like coffee grounds or cat litter before disposing of it in the trash.

These simple habits help prevent costly sewer backups, protect our homes and businesses, and keep the Rouge River clean for everyone. Every little bit makes a difference, thanks for doing your part! 🎇🎆
https://www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/index.html

06/26/2026

🦉🐍🐟🦌🦆What critters have you seen in the Rouge River Watershed this summer? Some exciting critters have been recently spotted at Wilcox Lake in Plymouth, MI such as this muskrat!🦉🐍🐟🦌🦆

Staff were on site to inspect the planting areas, prepare for upcoming vegetation maintenance visits, and to plan for the season. For more information about this project site, visit our website!
https://www.allianceofrougecommunities.com/wilcox.html

06/25/2026

On Saturday, July 18th, you are invited to a free, introductory Rain Gardens 101 workshop to learn about the basics of rain gardens 🌧🌱! No supplies are necessary, but feel free to bring note-taking materials. This workshop is provided by the City of Dearborn Government

Date: Saturday, July 18th, 2026
Time: 11 am - 12 pm
Location: Dearborn Public Library, Henry Ford Centennial Library Auditorium

Register at therouge.org/july-rg-101