The story of “Rouge River Revived” being told throughout the watershed

The Rouge River, which flows through metropolitan Detroit, was once considered one of the most degraded urban rivers in the country. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is “a model for river restoration.”

The story of this dramatic environmental turn-around is told in a newly edited book, “Rouge River Revived: How People are Bringing Their River Back to Life.” The book is edited by John Hartig and Jim Graham, with chapters written by environmentalists, community activists, and others intimately involved in the day-to-day process of river restoration. It was published by the University of Michigan Press.

“The book’s well-documented and well-told stories are beacons of hope in difficult environmental times,” notes Dave Dempsey, senior adviser to the nonprofit advocacy group called For the Love of Water.

Copies of the book are being placed in 75 libraries in the Rouge River watershed to inspire a sense of wonder and a stewardship ethic for this urban waterway. Funding to place copies of the book in the libraries was provided by the Colina Foundation to the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The Colina Foundation is dedicated to helping improve the lives of young people through education and recognizes that the environment is a resource to be cherished, respected, and conserved. Additional funding for book presentations and lectures was provided by the Americana Foundation. The Americana Foundation prioritizes agriculture and natural resources, including protecting, preserving, or restoring the Great Lakes. Distribution of the books to libraries was accomplished by The Library Network – the largest library cooperative in Michigan.

“We are very excited and honored to be part of this project to share the story of the revival of our urban-industrial river that literally caught on fire in 1969 and is now a natural resource that is celebrated and cherished,” said Dr. Claudia Walters, director of the Environmental Interpretive Center at University of Michigan-Dearborn. “We feel that this book will raise awareness of how far this river revival has come and that more will be needed to reach our long-term ecosystem health and sustainability goals.”

On May 31st, John Hartig gave a presentation and led a discussion on “Rouge River Revived” at the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, Michigan. Twenty-five people participated in person and virtually.

Schools, libraries, community organizations, or businesses interested in scheduling a presentation and discussion on “Rouge River Revived,” may contact co-editors John Hartig, johnhartig1@gmail.com or Jim Graham, riverguy2524@gmail.com.