FRIENDS OF THE ROUGE WATERSHED
Giving Nature a Voice and a Helping Hand
COME PLANT WITH US!
YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!
YOUTH AND COMMUNITY GREENING THE ROUGE WATERSHED
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
#TBT at the Beare Wetland in the #RougeNUP.
Thousands of youth helped to create this biodiverse network of ponds and meadows, including youth and MPP @RaymondChoPC on this foggy day back in 2004!
Here is FRW's General Manager, Jim, visiting the wetland earlier this spring. pic.twitter.com/8N5MANeJjB
FRW’s 2020 goal is to help strengthen the Rouge National Park Management Plan and plant 10,000 native trees, shrubs and flowers with volunteers to combat climate change.
Click below to donate to FRW to help us continue our successful work.
#DYK the Rouge has a unique geological history?
The #WhitbyFormation, the local bedrock, is visible in only a few spots in the Rouge. This layer of 450 million year old shale contains fossils of prehistoric creatures, like the one pictured here! Can you name it?
There were no known native dense blazing star #wildflowers remaining in the Rouge 20 years ago.
FRW has planted thousands of this threatened species, and they are now spreading and providing tasty nectar for bees and butterflies like this endangered #monarch🦋. pic.twitter.com/ZQlFfnpAcE
#DYK thousands of volunteers helped FRW to restore the Beare Wetlands in the #RougeNUP?
This network of #biodiverse🐸 ponds and meadows is a must-see when visiting the Rouge. We were happy to bring our Friends from @EBTSOYP last week to show them what the its all about 😁! pic.twitter.com/LMOwPNUKeq
A reminder that applications for FRW's Conservation Technician job posting close tomorrow! twitter.com/frwatershed/st…