Friends of the Rouge

06/19/2026

🌱 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

06/18/2026

It is so exciting to have this part of the river daylighted!

Northville's new Downs River Park opens with trails, bridges, and a restored Rouge River freed from cement for the first time since the 1960s.

06/18/2026

Join your Friends on the Rouge on Saturday June 27th for a paddle trip celebrating National Canoe Day! 🚣 Local vendors will be sharing free resources prior to launching in Dearborn. Registration is available using the link below.

https://motorcitycanoerental.com/events.php

06/17/2026

Think the Rouge River is underappreciated? Please nominate the Rouge for Michigan's most underrated river in Bridge Magazine's River Awards. The deadline is June 19.

06/16/2026

New to all things gardening? 🌿Come out for Gardening 101 at the PARC rain gardens! We’ll go on a w**d hunt, discover native flowers, and learn about pollinators! 🦋 We’ll give some great gardening tips, demonstrate proper w**ding technique, talk about why native plants are important, and learn about the wonderful ecosystems we can create by planting natives! 🌱

All ages and gardening experience welcome! Gloves, tools, and water will be provided. To maintain these gardens, tasks may include removing w**ds, picking up trash, mulching, planting more native plants, and/or doing other tasks as needed

Register here: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/JE/g9hubfjoafvphh

See you in the garden!

06/12/2026

Happy Fish Friday Friends! 🐟

Your Rouge River Fish Team has begun the summer sampling season! At Fellows Creek on Wednesday some of the species found included Creek Chubs, Blacknose Dace, and Fathead Minnows. Visit https://therouge.org/fish-monitoring/, to learn more about the fish program.

All fish were safely returned alive back to the river.

06/11/2026

***Please note that this event has been cancelled due to the heat advisory. ****

Thank you to everyone who signed up to volunteer. We hope to see you at a future rain garden event!

06/10/2026

CHANGE OF LOCATION DUE TO WEATHER: Due to tonight's weather forecast, the location for the Celebrate with Friends event has moved. Please join your Friends INDOORS tonight at the Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex (PARC) at 650 Church St, Plymouth, MI 48170.

To park: enter the PARC parking lot off of Adams Road between Church Street and Blanche Street

The Gathering kicks off at 6pm with remarks starting at about 6:30pm.

Thank you for building a better world with Friends. We look forward to seeing you tonight.💙

Learn more by visiting: www.therouge.org/celebrate.

06/10/2026

Join your Friends at Claude Allison Park for the monthly spruce-ups of the beautiful rain gardens filled with native plants! 🌿Rain gardens collect, absorb, & filter stormwater coming off of the pavement to reduce the amount flowing into the Rouge River. They also minimize pollution, erosion, and flooding! Plus, provide a home for songbirds, butterflies and other pollinators. 🐦🦋

Spruce up events are a great way to learn about identifying native plants, proper w**ding technique, and the magic of a rain garden!

Register by visiting: therouge.org/claude-allison-2026

06/10/2026

You are invited to celebrate National Canoe Day with Friends of the Rouge! The group will launch in Dearborn and paddle downstream. Community resource vendors will be on site providing free resources. Come join the fun! 🚣

Free registration is available for the first 20 participants!

Register here: https://forms.gle/zzuwmg1wLZKXuguA8

Thank you to Motor City Canoe Rental - Oakwoods Metropark , Huron-Clinton Metroparks , and National Kidney Foundation of Michigan