Restoring Tree Canopy in Rouge River

Reducing Runoff in the Rouge River AOC

In 2020, the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC) was awarded a GLRI-USDA Forest Service grant (Grant #21-DG-11094200-007) that built upon past Forest Service Grants by intercepting a total of 1.3 million gallons annual runoff by planting 895 trees and installing 2.9 acres of green infrastructure throughout the Rouge River Watershed. This project increased the urban canopy to help mitigate the effects of stormwater by reducing soil erosion, air pollution and loss of habitat. Volunteer workdays were utilized to install and maintain plant materials at some of the sites.

This project continued a legacy of success with the Forest Service grant funding: In 2012 the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC) was awarded a GLRI-USDA Forest Service grant for $374,980 that sought to replace more than 2,500 trees to the Rouge River Watershed, which lost thousands of trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) since 2002. In 2014 and 2017 the GLRI USDA Forest Service awarded two subsequent grants to the ARC in the amount of $100,000 each to plant a total of 1,360 new trees and create a healthy, functional and more diverse urban tree canopy in the Rouge River Watershed. These grants aided in reducing the effects of stormwater pollution, such as soil erosion and air pollution and the effects to habitat.

Over the next 20 years, based on forecasted tree growth using iTree Design, the total benefits to the watershed are worth $141,529. A total of $4,236 of stormwater runoff savings is projected by intercepting 2,042,941 gallons of rainfall. It is anticipated that there will be $3,746.15 in air quality improvement savings by absorbing and intercepting pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter; reducing energy production needs; and lowering air temperature. In addition, it is anticipated that there will be $75,974 of savings by reducing 262,189 lbs. of atmospheric carbon dioxide through CO2 sequestration and decreased energy production needs and emissions.

Funding and Parnters
This project was funded by the USDA Forest Service through an approximatly $261,780 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant received by the Alliance of Rouge Communities Grant #21-DG-11094200-007. Partners in this project include the USDA-Forest Service, GLRI, ARC, Friends of the Rouge, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Twp., Inkster, Livonia, Northville Twp., Novi, Oak Park, Plymouth, Plymouth Twp., Southfield, Troy, Westland, Oakland County, and Washtenaw County

Where and When
Throughout the Rouge River Watershed including the communities of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Twp., Inkster, Livonia, Northville Twp., Novi, Oak Park, Plymouth, Plymouth Twp., Southfield, Troy, Westland, Oakland County, and Washtenaw County Tree planting and green infrastructure installation began in 2020 and completed in 2025.

Project Outcomes
Planted over 895 trees across the Rouge River Watershed Planted 2.9 acres of green infrastructure Plantings will intercept an estimated 2.8M gallons of stormwater Friends of the Rouge coordinated 454 hours of volunteer planting

Reports and More Information
Forest Service Informational Flyer Reducing Runoff in the rouge river AOC Final Report

Photo History of Project:

Photo Gallery of Restoration Activities

Volunteers planting trees in Inkster

Planted trees and informational signage

Plantng of green infrastructure

Plantng of green infrastructure