Author Archives: friendsoftherouge

About friendsoftherouge

The mission of the Friends of the Rouge is to promote the restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River ecosystem through education, citizen involvement and other collaborative efforts, for the purpose of improving the quality of life for the people, plants and animals of the watershed.

“Reflections of Business on the Rouge River,” by David Usher, Founder of Marine Pollution Control, Detroit, MI, written by Fenelon Ashley

Posted on June 22, 2011 by friendsoftherouge

Nowadays when we think about pollution in our waterways, people usually assume that pollution was intentional.  But 40+ years ago, the contamination that Marine Pollution Control was called upon to clean up was the result of accidental oil and fuel … Continue reading →

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The Picnic Bench Rescue-By Barb Goryca

Posted on February 4, 2011 by friendsoftherouge

My husband, Ben, and I have walked one mile of the Rouge River everyday, come rain, shine, sleet, or blizzard for 30 years!  We do think of ourselves as river stewards and report many problems to the correct department.   For five years, … Continue reading →

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Memories of the Rouge River

Posted on January 24, 2011 by friendsoftherouge

Memories of the Rouge River For over ten years, my 6th graders and I tested the Rouge River every spring.  We tested at several sites including Heritage Woods in Farmington Hills and Ford Field in Dearborn.  Enthusiasm always ran high … Continue reading →

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Duck ala Rouge-By: John Schmittroth

Posted on January 5, 2011 by friendsoftherouge

In the fall of 2008, the city of Southfield opened a 50-acre nature preserve called Carpenter Lake.  This is located along the Ravines Branch of the Rouge River, near 10 Mile and Inkster roads.  I was interested to explore this … Continue reading →

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The Rouge River: A Personal History – Janet Helm Sebok

Posted on December 6, 2010 by friendsoftherouge

Many people who drive to and from work through Edward Hines Parkway have no idea that the Rouge River was an important source of water for farmers. More than half a century ago, my grandparents, Gus and Minnie Helm, farmed … Continue reading →

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Rouge Rescue-Some of my Favorite Volunteer Experiences

Posted on November 17, 2010 by friendsoftherouge

Some of my favorite volunteer experiences were during Rouge Rescue. Every year, my dad, my brother, and I were always the muddiest and craziest volunteers in the river. The organizers always enjoyed seeing us working hard to remove garbage from … Continue reading →

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Stories of the Rouge River-By: Dr. Orin Gelderloos

Posted on November 17, 2010 by friendsoftherouge

In the early 1970s, I directed a series of National Science Foundation Summer Institutes for high school and middle school teachers on Environmental Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.  During the course, we took canoe trips on the Rouge River … Continue reading →

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I Participated in Programs

Posted on November 5, 2010 by friendsoftherouge

As I grew up in MI I participated in school programs that centered around the Rouge. When I became an adult I participated with Friends of the Rouge in events such as Rouge Rescue. I was fortunate enough to work … Continue reading →

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