#friendsoftherouge

Celebrate Michigan's water resources during Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week June 5-13!

Will you paddle along a water trail or join an Adopt-a-Beach team for a local cleanup? Maybe you can collect plastics as you stroll along the beach or clear litter from storm catch basins in your neighborhood. What will you pledge to do to benefit Michigan's water resources? What will you pledge to do to benefit Michigan's water resources? Share your photos and stories on social media with #MiGreatLakesWeek.

Here are ways that you can participate in Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week:

Post photos on social media of your favorite lake, river, or water experience and use the hashtag #MiGreatLakesWeek.

Try your hand at Great Lakes trivia, posted to the DNR's Mi Nature Facebook page and at EGLE's Twitter feed.

Watch and share themed videos throughout the week: Appreciate our water resources, educate residents about stewardship and recreate responsibly.

Fish for free June 12-13. On these two days, the DNR will waive the need for a fishing license, as well as off-road vehicle license, trail permit and the Recreation Passport requirement for state parks and boating access sites.

Take your blanket to the beach and read the 2020 State of the Great Lakes report.

Check out the Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week webpage at Michigan.gov/GreatLakesWeek, where you'll find links to local events, education resources, videos, MiCorps volunteer sign-up, invasive species identification and how to properly dispose of old medications.

Open the From Students to Stewards toolkit, which is full of place-based educational resources for teachers that will instill in youth a desire to learn about water resources and how to be protective of lakes and streams.

As you decide how to enjoy the outdoors, follow these tips to recreating responsibly on the water, in the water and while fishing, as well as resources to consult regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

FACTS ABOUT GREAT LAKES AND FRESHWATER

The Great Lakes hold about 20 percent of the world’s available freshwater.

In Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles away from a lake – and we have more than 11,000!

Michigan has more than 3,200 miles of coastline.

Our state is home to the world’s largest freshwater dune system.

660,000 Michigan jobs are directly linked to the Great Lakes.

Whether at home or in the classroom, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is providing a variety of online videos and resources through its EGLE Classroom initiative that teachers and parents can use to supplement school lessons all year long.

Environmental education is an essential ingredient for developing environmental stewardship. “EGLE Classroom will help instructors to think about how to talk to their students on ways to interact with the natural world around them,” said Liesl Clark, director of EGLE. “We want this to be a two-way collaboration and urge teachers and students to create their own videos that can be shared with others across Michigan as a statewide resource.”

The NEW EGLE Classroom Newsletter will summarize our recent environmental education content and provide information about environmental topics and events.

Subscribe to EGLE Classroom to get information and resources each month from experts either from EGLE’s staff or through our partners.

Upcoming Education Events

EGLE Earth Day 2021 – April 22, 2021 Due to this year’s challenges with COVID-19, the Constitution Hall celebration will be held virtually. Pre-recorded sessions will be posted to the web page the week of April 22, 2021. The Earth Day awards ceremony will include the winners of the 2021 annual Poster Contest and Environmental Service Project awards and will be posted on website.

The Earth Day Poster Contest is for students in Kindergarten – 5th grade. Submitted posters are judged based on the "Restore Our Earth" theme and should include plants, wildlife, or ecosystems native to Michigan. The artwork can be drawn by hand or digitally created. Each school hosts its own contest for the students and submits the top three posters for each grade. The Earth Day Poster Contest committee selects the first and second place winners from each grade. Earth Day Poster Contest Template

The Environmental Service Award (ESA) competition is for students in 6th - 8th and 9th - 12th grade categories. Schools are invited to nominate a student, or group of students, to be recognized for completion of a school-sanctioned, environment-based project, that has tangible results. The project must incorporate the "Restore Our Earth" theme and provide a benefit for plants, wildlife, or ecosystems native to Michigan. Schools confirm the validity of each project and outcome. The Earth Day ESA committee selects the top two projects from each category.

The deadline for both contests to submit entries is February 28, 2021. The winners from both contests will be notified by March 15, and their work will be posted on the Earth Day web page.  

Highlighted #EGLEClassroom Videos

Storm Drains Do you get a lot of water in your basement during heavy rains? Don't go investing in a new sump pump just yet---instead, check the storm drains by your house! They might need a little TLC. Katrina explains how this can help your home stay dry!

Compost What do you do with your Jack-o-Lantern after Halloween has gone and passed? You can throw him in the trash bin OR you can compost him! Learn how with Aaron Hiday from EGLE.

Cattails Wetlands are areas where water covers soil all or part of the time. Wetlands are important because they protect and improve water quality, provide fish and wildlife habitats, store floodwaters and maintain surface water flow during dry periods. One of the most common plants found in wetlands are cattails, also known as reeds!

Radon Protecting yourself and your family starts with a simple home test kit. In this video you will learn about what radon is, where it comes from, health effects, testing for radon, what is involved in fixing your home, and other helpful resources. There are simple steps that you can take to test for radon and fix your home if necessary.

Check out all videos on the EGLE Classroom's YouTube playlist at YouTube.com/MichiganEGLE.

Six school districts have been awarded grants through the From Students to Stewards Initiative, a partnership between EGLE, Grand Valley State University, the Michigan Department of Education (DOE) and the MiSTEM Network through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).

Approximately 1,280 students from the six districts — Allegan Area Educational District, Comstock Public Schools, Copper Country Intermediate School District, Les Cheneaux Community Schools, Niles Community Schools and Northport Public Schools — will learn skills to prepare them for high-quality water-focused STEM careers and connect them with community organizations and local businesses that are dedicated to freshwater stewardship for place-based learning opportunities.

Please check out the following Winter Watershed Events hosted by your local watershed group. Help support, restore, and improve the quality of your watershed

Clinton River Watershed Council:

Protecting Water Quality in Cold Weather:

Time: January 6, 2021 7:00pm-8:00pm

Place: Virtual

Register: www.htlibrary.org

Stonefly ID Virtual Training:

Time: January 16, 2021 9:00am-10:30am

Place: Virtual Zoom

Register: [email protected]

Stonefly Search:

Time: January 30, 2021 9:00am 

Place: TBD

Register: [email protected]

Stormwater 101 Presentation:

Time: February 11, 2021 7:00pm-8:00pm

Place: Virtual Zoom

Register: [email protected]

Flint River Watershed:

2021 Voice of the River Annual Celebration:

Time: January 28th, 2021 

Place: Virtual 

More info: https://app.mobilecause.com/form/VQMlKQ?vid=fmol2

Huron River Watershed:

Winter Stonefly Search 2021:

Time:January 23, 2021- All day

Place: TBD

Volunteer: https://www.hrwc.org/volunteer/sign-up/

Friends of the Rogue:

Winter Stonefly Search:

Time: January 23, 2021 10:00am-3:00pm

Place: TBD

Register: Register by January 9, 2021 at www.therouge.org

Rain Garden Presentation:

Time: February 19, 2021 6:30pm-7:30pm

Place: West Bloomfield Library 

Why change your chemical habits?

Your actions with fertilizers, pesticides, cleaners, vehicle fluids and other household chemicals directly affect the health of the water quality in the Rouge River watershed - which impacts you, everyone around you, wildlife and their habitat, and even the communities downstream.

A watershed, also referred to as a drainage basin, is the land area that delivers rain & snow/ice melt to a stream or lake. Everyone who lives in Michigan, lives in a watershed!

When rain and snow/ice melt travel across the land (watershed) and through storm drains, it is called stormwater or runoff. As this runoff travels it picks up trash, animal waste, chemicals, sediments and dissolved substances along the way until it discharges into the nearest water body. Small streams join to form rivers and flow across sloping land, eventually flowing into a lake. These bodies of water impacted by runoff provide recreational opportunities, habitat for wildlife, and even drinking water for communities. By using chemical alternatives, properly using chemicals and disposing of chemicals correctly you are protecting not only the health of our watershed but also ourselves and everything downstream.

Household Hazardous Waste collection event information

Wayne County: http://bit.ly/ARC-WCHHW Macomb County: http://bit.ly/ARC-MCHHW Oakland County: http://bit.ly/ARC-OCHHW St. Clair County: http://bit.ly/ARC-SCHHW Washtenaw County: http://bit.ly/ARC-WashCHHW DEA PrescriptionTake-back: http://bit.ly/ARC-DEA

Alliance of Rouge Communities

The Alliance of Rouge Communities, or ARC, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of local municipalities, counties, educational institutions and stewardship groups working together to improve the Rouge River. Founded in 2005, the ARC is funded by membership dues from local governments and supported by grants. The ARC and its partners work cooperatively to protect the

Rouge River while meeting water quality requirements mandated by the state’s storm water permit and restoring beneficial uses, such as canoeing, fishing and other recreational activities, to the Rouge River. The ARC delivers better water quality for less cost to its members!

Visit our website at www.allianceofrougecommunities.com to learn other ways you can make a difference in the water quality of the Rouge River by practicing healthy habits like:

Recognizing illegal dumping & how to report it

Maintaining your septic system

Properly disposing of fats, oils & grease (FOG)

Landscaping with native trees & plants

Properly cleaning your boat to stop invasive species Volunteering in your community

Help out your local watershed by participating in the following watershed events!

Clinton River Watershed Council:

September 18, 2020: Adopt-A-Stream Training 

Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm

Information: (REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. EMAIL [email protected] TO GET MEETING LINK)

September 19, 2020: Clinton Cleanup

Location: New Pathway along Clintonville Road. Park/Register at Harvestland Church (5848 Clintonville Rd.)

Time: 9:00am- 11:00am

Information: Please wear a mask and practice social distancing, to register email Derek Smith at [email protected]

September 20, 2020: Clinton Cleanup

Location: Meet in Eagles Landing parking lot off Livernois, South of Avon on the West Side of the street.

Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm

Information: Choose to cleanup the trail or the river, waders will be provided. Email [email protected] or register at the front desk to confirm attendance.

September 22, 2020: Adopt-A-Stream Training

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm 

Location: Center Line Parks & Rec 25355 Lawrence Ave, Center Line MI 48015

Information: (REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. EMAIL [email protected])

September 23, 2020: Weekly Clean

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Location: Beaudette Park in Pontiac- 786 Orchard Lake Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341

Information: Every week, volunteers pick up trash, remove woody debris and perform in-water cleanups during the summer months called “Trash Runs” by paddling up and down the river.

September 26, 2020: Weekly Clean

Time: 9:00am-11:00pm

Location: Waterford Clinton River Canoe Launch near Elizabeth Lake and Airport Rd

Information: Bring your own Kayak. Register with David Lerner at [email protected]

September 30, 2020: Weekly Clean

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

Location: MacArthur Park in Mt. Clemens- 96 North River Road Park in YMCA parking lot

Information: Every week, volunteers pick up trash, remove woody debris and perform in-water cleanups during the summer months called “Trash Runs” by paddling up and down the river.

Huron River Watershed Council

September 10, 2020-October 31, 2020: Suds For The River Tour 2020

Information: When you purchase a Suds ticket to support HRWC, you will receive a passport to the Suds for the River Tour! Visit participating breweries and restaurants and get your passport stamped along the way. If you visit at least four participating locations by October 31, 2020, you could win cool prizes! Plus, your passport is your ticket to special discounts off brews and bites at participating locations. Alcohol purchase is not required.

How to Play: Purchase a Suds ticket for $35 or more and we will mail you a passport. Bring your passport when you visit the locations and ask the staff to stamp it. When you’re done, send us your passport to be entered in the drawing for prizes.

Details: Visit at least 4 participating locations to be entered to win one of three grand prize drawings.Passports must be signed or stamped by participating locations, and returned to HRWC, via email or mail by November 5 to qualify for grand prize drawings. (make sure your name and email is on the passport)Stay tuned for pop-up challenges to win sweet prizes!Food, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic beverages qualify towards grand prize entry.Don’t forget to get social by posting pics your tour using #Suds4RiverMail: HRWC, 1100 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Email:Email a photo or scan of your passport(s) to [email protected]  

Visit: https://www.hrwc.org/donate/suds/ to see participating breweries and restaurants. 

Friends of The Rouge

September 19, 2020: Bandhu Garden Planting Workshop

Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm

Location: 12285 Maine St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

Information:  Rain Garden Planting Workshop- Register at: https://forms.gle/hCgE3YUBDEEsQ44i8 Go to https://therouge.org/land-water-works-coalition/ for more info. Learn more about Bandhu Gardens: http://bandhugardens.com/

September 29, 2020: Master Rain Gardener Training Program

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Location: Southfield Parks and Recreation, 26000 Evergreen Rd, Southfield, MI 48076

Information:  APPLY TODAY! Visit TheRouge.org/mrg

Cost:  Cost: $119 ($350 value; sliding scale scholarships available, minimum fee of $20) $175 for applications received after September 15thSubsidized rates applicable for residents of the Rouge River Watershed, Washtenaw County, Oakland County, or other MRG funding partners

Requirements: Participants must attend all five classes and plant or adopt a rain garden to earn their Master Rain Gardener certificate, garden sign, and t-shirt (yes, there are t-shirts!).

Questions: contact Matthew Bertrand

October 3, 2020: Pumpkinfest

Time: 11:00am-5:00pm

Location: MSU Tollgate Education Conference Center 28115 Meadowbrook Rd, Novi, MI 48377, USA

Information: FOTR staffing terrain model and display

Flint River Watershed Coalition

September 26, 2020-October 10, 2020: Fall Water Quality Monitoring

Take action in May with the Rouge-wide online action challenge! Find over 50 activities that you can complete AT HOME. Pick a team and join the fun as you compete with FRIENDS to make a difference for your community & your River!

For the first time in its 34 year history, Rouge Rescue must transform from the event you’ve long known and loved. Rouge Rescue must go on — online!

To Get Started:

Go to

friendsoftherouge.wespire.com

Type in your email address and click the “Sign Up” button.

Enter your first and last name, email, and create a password to log back in later. Then press the “Sign Up” button.

Next join a Rouge team (whichever you’d like!) and select the Rouge River community you live in (or choose “Other” if you live outside the watershed). Then press “All done”.

You’re ready to play! Start with the “Get Into the Game” campaign.

Bookmark Rouge Rescue to complete more activities and earn points!

Invite friends and family to play along to strengthen your team or enjoy friendly competition.

Don’t forget to have fun rescuing the Rouge every day!

Click here to see who’s earned a badge!

Six Categories to Choose From!

Get into the Game

Level Up Your Rouge Smarts

Take a Rouge Walk on the Wild Side

Stuck at Home Rouge Hero

Bring Your Lawn to Life

Have you wanted to get more involved in your local water quality? Below is a list of events that are happening within your local watersheds this winter. Click the links for more information!

Clinton River Watershed Council:

Bug ID Training: (January 11, 2020)

https://www.facebook.com/events/513065415911111/

Winter Stonefly Search: (January 25, 2020) 

https://www.facebook.com/events/513065415911111/

Huron River Watershed Council:

Winter Stonefly Search: (February 1, 2020)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1278655095652788/

Become a Master Rain Gardener: (February 26, 2020-March 25, 2020)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1304307003096661/

Friends of the Rouge:

Rouge River Artwork Contest: 

Artwork must be submitted by: (January 17, 2020)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1j247ToWjB9ChEKTkPpqZTUaBSj6zeaOn

Winter Stonefly Search: (January 25, 2020)

https://www.facebook.com/events/2356183841360502/

Rain Gardens 101: (January 25,2020) 

https://www.facebook.com/events/463333377651452/

Become a Master Rain Gardener: (February 15, 2020-March 14,2020)

https://www.facebook.com/events/606013116803077/

Rouge Frog & Toad Survey Training: (March 7, 2020)

https://www.facebook.com/events/454476868826669/

Flint River Watershed Coalition:

Voice of the River Annual Celebration: (January 30, 2019)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1015794042114601/?active_tab=about

                    SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL WATERSHED!