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Friends of the Rouge and the Alliance of Rouge Communities have teamed up to offer native garden design workshops to teach residents in the Rouge River drainage area how to garden with native wildflowers.
Workshops will be held this spring in Novi, Bloomfield Hills, Livonia and Dearborn Heights.
“Water is a precious resource that is in high demand,” says Cyndi Ross, River Restoration Program Manager for Friends of the Rouge. “Michigan residents sometimes forget how scarce freshwater is for many around the world. We are the keepers of roughly 20 percent of all freshwater on Earth. It is our duty to ensure this resource, essential for all life, is available for us and future generations and to preserve the economic and recreational value the Great Lakes water provides to Michigan.”
One of the biggest threats to water quality in the Rouge River and the Great Lakes is contaminated stormwater run-off, according to a press release. Rain water falling on homes, parking lots and roads is not able to soak into the ground as nature intended, so it is collected in storm drains – along with pollutants – and piped to the nearest lake or stream to prevent flooding.
Friends of the Rouge is asking you to reduce water runoff and create a small native garden on your property. Learn how by attending a free public workshop. Four Naturalizing the Home Garden: A Native Garden Design Workshops will be held across the Rouge River watershed to teach people how to select native plants that are right for the conditions in their yard and offer design tips for creating attractive gardens that reduce rainwater runoff and provide nectar for birds and butterflies.
Optional expert assistance is available for a limited number of workshop attendees immediately following the workshop. Interested persons are encouraged to register early as space is limited. Registration is required for expert assistance. Registration is available online or by calling 313-792-9621.
Workshop dates and locations are as follow:
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6 – 7:15 p.m. – Novi Civic Center, 47175 W 10 Mile Road, Novi
Wednesday, March 5, 6 – 7:15 p.m. – Livonia Civic Center Library, 32777 5 Mile Road, Livonia
Monday, March 31, 6 – 7:17 p.m. – Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills
Tuesday, April 15, 6 –7:15 p.m. – Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George Ave, Dearborn Heights
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