FRIENDS OF THE ROUGE WATERSHED
Giving Nature a Voice and a Helping Hand
YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!
Protect
FRW works with community groups and volunteers to protect and restore ecosystem, watershed and human health. We promote a scientific and community stewardship approach to environmental assessment, planning, protection and restoration. We help to create and implement Rouge Park, Watershed, Greenbelt, and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plans.
Educate
We provide educational presentations, nature walks and environmental stewardship events which increase youth and community awareness about the inter-connections between ecosystem, watershed and human health. We motivate volunteers to be environmental and community leaders by nurturing environmental knowledge, values and stewardship skills.
Restore
We involve volunteers in forest, wetland, stream and meadow habitat restoration to help implement scientific recommendations for improving ecological integrity, water quality and human health. We repair past damages to natural systems, processes and biodiversity; reverse habitat loss and fragmentation; control invasive species; and combat the impacts of pollution, climate change, urban sprawl and flooding.
Monitor
We work with many groups and government agencies to monitor key indicators of watershed, ecosystem, park and community health. We share this knowledge with the public and decision-makers to improve environmental assessment, planning, protection and restoration.
Did You Know?
The Carolinian Forest, one of Canada’s most endangered eco-zones, is home to approximately one-third of our endangered species. The Rouge Watershed contains designated Carolinian forests, and is home to an estimated 30+ species at risk.
Did You Know?
Ecological integrity means supporting public use without going over the Rouge National Urban Park carrying capacity. Ecosystem protection needs to be a priority while visiting the park. Stay on trails, leave no trace, take only pictures. Please practice responsible use of the park.
Did You Know?
Since 1991 Friends of the Rouge Watershed has planted over 727,108 native trees, shrubs, and flowers in the Rouge Watershed - providing rich habitat for native fauna. Biodiversity loss is a global issue. Combat loss on a local scale by supporting conservation efforts, like FRW. Support native species!
Did You Know?
Environment Canada recommends a minimum of 10% wetland cover per watershed or 40% of the historic wetland cover. With only 1% wetland cover, both the Rouge and Little Rouge watersheds fall far short of these targets for achieving ecological integrity.
Did You Know?
Ecological integrity is important! Friends of the Rouge Watershed continues to push for strengthened ecological integrity, as prioritized in the Rouge National Urban Park Act and Management Plan. Ecological integrity refers to the ability of an ecosystem to sustain ecological processes and biodiversity. This means increasing native species and diverse communities in Rouge National Urban Park.
Newsletter
Are you feeling the winter blues?
Now that many of us are working from home & indoors more, getting outdoors can greatly benefit our mental & physical wellbeing. It physiologically reduces stress, increases physical activity, restores attention to detail, & decreases rumination. pic.twitter.com/Q428E1QK9I
It's #MysteryMonday!
This species is short & stocky compared to other species in the same family. They hunt small fish along the shoreline, standing motionless at the water’s edge until their prey is within striking distance.
Do you know what species this juvenile bird is? pic.twitter.com/OdmbLEKrXm
It's #BirdsGuessWho!
This species may be small, but it is a strong predator. It's diet consists of other birds, small mammals and insects. They often save their food for later by impaling it on thorns or barbed wire.
Do you know what bird this is?
📷: Abraham Bowring pic.twitter.com/RFYaqtEalK
#TBT to a beautiful summer day working along the Rouge River. FRW staff are grateful to be able to work in & around the beautiful and diverse #RNUP.
DYK that from late September to early November you can catch the salmon run up the Rouge River from Ontario's Great Lakes? 🐟 pic.twitter.com/jJ7u9DuR5s
It's #MysteryMonday!
Members of this species live in mixed woodland habitats & swamps, and hibernate in underground burrows. They require small bodies of water for breeding, such as vernal ponds & survive on an invertebrate diet.
Can you guess what species this is? pic.twitter.com/JRzluJCUyT
It's #BirdsGuessWho!
This weeks species is commonly known as a bird of the ground. They can often be found hopping around the base of trees and shrubs in coniferous or mixed-coniferous forests looking for fallen seeds.
Do you know what bird this is? pic.twitter.com/KqbZ4xjQve