Volunteers Needed for June 2 Rouge Rescue

The Rouge Rescue returns to Dearborn and 19 other communities June 2, and Dearborn-based nonprofit is in need of volunteers.

The 26th annual event takes place at 35 sites in 20 communities throughout metro Detroit. Times and activities vary by site.

According to Friends of the Rouge, the Rouge Rescue helps to decrease the impact of storm events and improve water quality by stabilizing stream banks and installing native plants to filter out pollutants.

Rouge Rescue began as a trash clean-up, and evolved to include more restoration activities as conditions improved.

“People don’t realize the positive impact just one day of working along the river can have,” said River Restoration Program Manager for Friends of the Rouge Cyndi Ross. “It’s great to see residents take ownership of the river, it helps change the mindset that it’s someone else’s problem. It’s also a great way to meet your neighbors and have fun!”

Each site includes one or a combination of activities: trash removal, planting native plants, log-jam opening, removing invasive plants, educational workshops and nature walks.

Volunteers should wear long pants and long sleeves to protect themselves from poison ivy. Helpful items to bring include water, snacks, shoes or boots you don't mind getting dirty, hat, sunscreen, bug spray and a change of clothes (just in case). Gloves will be provided along with “Rouge Rescue ‘12” T-shirts as available.

Many of the sites are family-friendly.

Dearborn Area Rouge Rescue Locations

Ford Field Greenway Trail

• Time:  9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Location: , Brady Street entrance, Dearborn
• Family Friendly:  Yes
• Volunteer Projects:  Invasive plant removal, weeding, park maintenance, river clean up.
• Volunteers needed:  20
• Coordinator:  Thomas Trimble,
• Contact:  313-414-6277; mars@americanmars.com

Henry Ford Community College

• Time:  9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Location: , 5101 Evergreen Road, Dearborn
• Volunteer Project:  Invasive plant removal
• Volunteers needed:  All welcome
• Coordinator:  Sam Greco, Henry Ford Community College
• Contact:  sgreco@hfcc.edu

University of Michigan - Dearborn

• Time: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Location: Environmental Interpretive Center, 4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn
• Family Friendly:  Yes
• Volunteer Project:  Removing invasive Honeysuckle.
• Volunteers needed:  All welcome
• Coordinator:  Sydney Parmenter, UM-Dearborn Environmental Health & Safety and Emergency Management
• Contact: 313-593-5061; sydparm@umd.umich.edu

Parkland Park

• Time:  9 a.m.-12 p.m.
• Location: Parkland Park, 6500 Parkland Street, Dearborn Heights
• Volunteer Projects:  Registration at 8:30 a.m. Weeding, clean up of three native plant gardens and trash pick-up. Bring garden shovels and strong garden rakes if you have them.
• Volunteers needed:  All welcome
• Coordinator:  Steven Roberts, Dearborn Heights Watershed Stewards Commission
• Contact:  313-292-1784

A complete site list is posted at www.therouge.org.