Join Us!
Upcoming Events
Ecosteward Day at Glen Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at Glen Park in Rockford remove invasive woody shrubs.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided.
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove invasive woody shrubs.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban park complete with a coldwater troutstream, wetlands and woods all filled with a solid base of native plants. Only problem is non-native invasive plants are crowding them out & that's where you come in
Movie Night: "Kiss the Ground"
Kick off the Fall season with our free documentary movie night! We are watching Kiss the Ground.
Kiss the Ground is a 2020 Netflix original documentary. It focuses on regenerative agriculture; the movie profiles scientists, farmers and environmentalists as they explore the important role healthier soil plays in better human and planetary health. The film is narrated by actor Woody Harrelson and contains a celebrity cast that includes Gisele Bündchen, Tom Brady, and others. The film critiques conventional agriculture, particulatrly tillage and pesticide use, for its negative effects on soil erosion, climate change and human health. (Description provided by Wikipedia).
We hope you’ll join us for the film and popcorn with a brief discussion afterwards!
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to plant native forbs, grasses, sedges and ferns along the Rum Creek bank.
Please bring planting trowels or shovels if you have them.
Gloves and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance.
Come join us & make a difference towards protecting the Rum Creek streambank, a coldwater trout stream in Rockford
Pervasive Plastics
Pervasive Plastics (also advertised as Plastics, Everywhere?) explores the impact of plastics on modern life, highlighting their benefits, challenges, and future role in society through insights from GVSU organic chemistry professor Matt Hart and a few of his students. Discover exciting developments in plastic recycling, such as GVSU’s upcoming program to recycle PLA cups into a cleaning product. Throughout this class, we’ll explore: What types of plastics are the hardest to recycle and why? What exactly are microplastics? Are some types of plastic more prone to becoming microplastics? Are there any good solutions on the horizon like plastics-eating microbes or new biodegradable plastics? Walk away with an understanding of how to avoid unnecessary plastics, make sustainable purchasing decisions, and engage with recent innovations in plastic recycling.
About the Speaker:
Matt Hart is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at GVSU. In addition to his research on organic synthesis to make novel molecules, his collaboration with the GVSU Chemistry Club investigates a program to recycle PLA cups in a “green” cleaning product for the university community, thereby reducing the university’s overall budget. The program will increase the lifecycle of lactic acid in the PLA cups already being used on campus and provide a useful cleaning product for students and staff to use.
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to plant trees and shrubs in places that were cleared of woody invasives.
Please bring a shovel if you have one.
Gloves and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park
Holiday Decoration Swap!
Bring your gently used holiday decorations and swap them for something new-to-you! Located at Rockford United Methodist Church’s community room at 159 Maple St NE.
From Christmas lights to Cupid, we are swapping decor from any holiday. No specific number of items dropped off are required to participate! Items taken home are not tied to the number of items you bring. We trust our community to give, receive, and reuse with cheer.
It’s free, fun, and eco-friendly!
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove non-native, invasive woody shrubs.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park
Curious About Solar? Explore the Options!
Tired of paying high utility bills? This presentation will provide information about solar & batteries for anyone curious about alternative energy!
Solar expert Marshall Clabeaux will guide us through the ever increasing solar technologies, how to evaluate your home's potential, identify group buying opportunities and find reliable contractors.
About the Presenter:
Marshall Clabeaux of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) focuses on the nonprofit’s SOLARIZATION project in the Michigan region.
Native Plant Landscaping
Located at Krause Memorial Library in Rockford
Nurturing Nature with Native Landscaping - Landscape architect Wes Landon shares practical tips for transforming your yard into a beautiful space enjoyed by nature and neighbors alike. Beyond the beauty of your landscaping, realize annual water bill savings through these practical conservation methods!
About the Presenter:
Wesley Landon is a licensed landscape architect in the state of Michigan, and is the leader of the design studio. Specializing in native design and placemaking, his passion is creating resilient, innovative places which inspire, and restore the native environmental fabric of the landscape. He has diverse professional experience – spanning park and open space design, to community visioning and downtown planning – and is adept at all phases of project development, from initial concept generation to construction documentation and administration.
Outdoor Education in RPS
Located at the Rockford High School lecture hall.
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Rockford Public Schools Outdoor Learning Program The Outdoor Education staff at RPS will lead a presentation on this meaningful, standards-based learning rooted in exploration, collaboration, and connection to the land available to all Rockford Elementary students.
Learn about some of the outdoor education opportunities in our school district, including:
Magnet Classroom Program- 4th and 5th grades
Hands-on, Project Based Learning (PBL) through outdoor experiences
All District Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA integrated through authentic outdoor learning
District-Wide Enrichment: Outdoor enrichment lessons for all DK–5 students at all 8 elementary buildings, including seasonal lessons each Fall, Winter, and Spring
2nd and 3rd Grade Field trips to Edgerton Trails Elementary
Weekly enrichment for Outdoor Education magnet classes
Wildcrafting
Details:
Lea Sevigny of Joyful Wildcrafting invites you to look at your landscape with new eyes, transforming backyards, sidewalks, and parks into potential pantries. Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or just beginning to explore the outdoors, this lecture will equip you with information to safely and ethically forage for wild foods, deepen your connection to the natural world, and add a unique, local flavor to your diet. More than just identifying plants, we'll cover essential guidelines to ensure your foraging adventures are both rewarding and responsible.
About the Presenter:
Lea Sevigny connects with nature in many ways, but she especially enjoys foraging for items to make food, herbal remedies, and artistic creations. Through her business, Joyful Wildcrafting, Lea guides others to embrace the natural world. She is committed to practicing and teaching sustainable and ethical foraging practices rooted in place, most often in West Michigan.
Ecosteward Day at Rockford Dog Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Rockford Dog Park to take an inventory of trees that were planted in 2023. We will also remove invasive plants as needed.
Gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. This will be a fun event as we explore the status of native trees and shrubs planted 3 years ago and to observe what native plants have emerged since removing 13 truck loads of shredded invasive shrubs.
Ecosteward Day at Rockford Dog Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Rockford Dog Park to remove Garlic Mustard and Dames Rocket which are non-native, invasive plants.
Gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park alongside beautiful Rogue River
We will meet at the Dog Park. It’s recommended to park at Pickett Park and walk over to the Dog Park (along Rogue River).
Community Summer Swap ♻️
Bring your gently used summer items to swap them for something new-to-you. It’s free, fun, and eco-friendly! We're swapping....
Kids' Clothes (NO adult clothes)
Outdoor Toys
Sports Equipment
Gardening & Lawncare Items
... and anything "summer" that can fit in your car!
First Time Swapping?
Find the Sustainability Committee signboard at the entrance. Come on in! Tables will be set up for swapping: simply place your items on a table. Cider and donuts in a sitting area will be available for socializing while waiting for all swap items to arrive. After tables are set with swap materials, "shopping" begins!
No specific number of items dropped off are required to participate! Items selected to take home are not limited or tied to number of items you bring. We trust our community to give, receive, and reuse gladly!
Nervous about swapping?
Reach out to our team at rockfordsuscom@gmail.com with questions, concerns, or to request accommodations. We get it: these events are an extrovert's dream and an introvert's nightmare! We will make sure our snack & beverage area is welcoming so that all people can comfortably participate in sustainability
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Rockford Community Cabin at 220 North Monroe Street. From there we’ll walk to Memorial Park to remove garlic mustard and dames rocket.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Come join & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park!
Trivia Night at Rockford Brewing Company
Click here for hints & resources to prepare for Trivia Night!
Join us for a night of sustainability-themed trivia at Rockford Brewing Company!
Think you know your eco-films, nature facts, and sustainability myths? Join us for Movies, Myths, and Mother Earth, a fun and lively trivia night celebrating the planet we call home! Hosted by Rockford Sustainability Committee (SusCom) at RBC, this event will feature entertaining rounds on sustainability-themed movies, the truth behind common environmental myths (plus a few playful nods to mythical creatures of the natural world), and fascinating questions about nature, energy, and human health on Earth.
Come with friends and form your own trivia dream team, or fly solo and join the SusCom team when you arrive—everyone is welcome! Grab a drink, test your knowledge, and enjoy a relaxed evening filled with laughs, friendly competition, and planet-friendly fun.
The winning team will receive a $50 RBC gift card + an RBC Mug Club Membership for each team member up to 6 people (Value $180; must be 21+ to redeem).
Annual Rogue River Clean up
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team to assist the Rogue River Watershed Partners and the Lower Grand Organization of Watersheds in cleaning the Rogue River!
Join us at Richardson-Sowerby Park in Rockford at 10:00am to join a clean-up crew, or come by any time to play games and crafts at SusCom's family-friendly tent.
The main objective of the event is to remove Garlic Mustard & Dames Rocket from the banks of the river. By removing invasive plants from the banks, it allows the native plants to flourish.
Organic Lawns 101
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
at Rockford City Hall, 7 South Monroe Street Rockford, MI 49341
Organic Lawns 101 introduces homeowners to a science-based approach to caring for lawns that starts with soil biology. Synthetic lawn chemicals that promise a quick fix have been the go-to for lawn care for over 70 years, but they often hide deeper issues and can actually create more problems than they solve. This workshop explains how healthy soil, built through natural practices, supports stronger turf, deeper roots and long-term resilience without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. It also connects lawn care choices to broader ecological impacts, including protecting pollinators and wildlife, improving water quality and reducing carbon loss from soils. Participants will leave with tools and ideas for working with nature, rather than against it, to grow a beautiful and healthy lawn.
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to move and pile previously cut woody invasive shrubs for the City of Rockford to pick up and shred.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park (Location Change!)
Change of location!!
Because of the delayed emergence of garlic mustard and dames rocket, we're moving & changing our event. Updated details are below:
April 4th, 2026
9 am - 12 noon
Meet at Extremis (239 Northland Drive)
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove invasive woody shrubs.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided.
Afterward, Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance.
Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban park complete with a cold-water trout-stream, wetlands and woods all filled with a solid base of native plants. Only problem is non-native invasive plants are crowding them out & that's where you come in
Gardening: Beneath the Surface with Native Plants
~This is the updated date for the 'Gardening Beneath the Surface' event originally scheduled for March 18~
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Good gardeners know that what grows beneath the surface has a huge impact on what grows above it. You probably also know that native plants attract pollinators to help your garden grow. But did you know those same plants can help improve your soil's health? Join us as we explore that topic with Dr. Kathryn Docherty, microbial ecologist in the Department of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University. Her research focuses on how native tallgrass prairie restoration can improve soil health and microbial activity, while increasing climate resilience. The majority of her work has been in collaboration with farmers in southwest Michigan, who install native tallgrass prairie restorations as part of a sustainable agricultural management plan. She will also discuss results from a new project that investigates how residential native plant installations affect soil health in the urban City of Kalamazoo. Dr.Docherty has been a professor at WMU since 2011. She is also a native plant enthusiast who is slowly converting her lawn into a diverse array of native plants.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Kathryn Docherty, microbial ecologist in the Department of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University. Her research focuses on how native tallgrass prairie restoration can improve soil health and microbial activity, while increasing climate resilience. The majority of her work has been in collaboration with farmers in southwest Michigan, who install native tallgrass prairie restorations as part of a sustainable agricultural management plan. She will also discuss results from a new project that investigates how residential native plant installations affect soil health in the urban City of Kalamazoo. Dr.Docherty has been a professor at WMU since 2011.
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove non-native, woody invasive shrubs.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park!
Battling the Green Invaders: Identifying and Managing Invasive Plants in our Community
Wednesday, February 18
6:30-7:30pm
at City of Rockford City Hall
Join the Rockford SusCom for an engaging and informative evening as we explore the world of invasive plant species threatening our local ecosystems.
This lecture will equip you with the knowledge to identify common invasive plants found in our area, understand their impact on native habitats and biodiversity, and learn effective removal and control techniques you can use at home or in your community Whether you're a seasoned gardener, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about protecting our environment, this session will provide practical tools and insights to help you make a difference. Herbicide daubers will be available for purchase that evening. Let’s work together to protect our green spaces (and our backyards) - one plant at a time!
Featuring speaker Andrew Lidral of the Kent Conservation Strike Team and leader of SusCom's Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove non-native, woody invasive shrubs that are crowding out an otherwise abundant understory of native plants along Rum Creek.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park!
Building a Composting Community (Composting Comes to Rockford!)
Join us on Wednesday, January 21st for this FREE event about at-home and community composting.
Ecosteward Workday at Memorial Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove non-native, woody invasive shrubs that are crowding out an otherwise abundant understory of native plants along Rum Creek.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park!
Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team (REST)
Help us beautify Glen Park by cutting down invasive Autumn Olive. Tools, gloves & refreshments will be provided!
Children are welcome at this event — there is a playground there.
December 6
9AM-Noon (come & go as you please)
Glen Park
Task: Cutting down invasive Autumn Olive
Tools and gloves will be provided. Recommended clothing: Warm rugged clothes. Open toed shoes are highly discouraged.
Afterwards, a gathering will be held at a local watering hole at a place mutually agreed upon. This will include the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team committee meeting & everyone is welcome to join that as it's very informal.
Bonus: There's always the potential for Tundra Swans migrating overhead at this time of the year
Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team (REST)
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Rockford Community Cabin to install ~200 native plants in the Rain Garden adjacent to Rum Creek!
Gloves will be provided
Please bring shovels if you have them
Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park
Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team (REST)
When: Saturday, Oct 4th, 9am-Noon
Where: Meet at the Extremis Parking Lot at 9am, or join us along the boardwalk at Memorial Park.
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Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at the Extremis parking lot on 239 Northland Drive. From there we'll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove non-native, invasive honeysuckle bushes that are crowding out an otherwise abundant understory of native plants along Rum Creek
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park :)
Volunteers Needed: Waste Watchers Crew
Date: Sept 26-28
Time: Multiple slots available
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Help Rockford recycle right!
Join our Waste Watchers crew to help keep the Harvest Festival clean and green. No recycling knowledge is necessary.
Volunteer for one hour or all day — up to you!
Learn How to Save on Home Energy Costs
Date: September 17, 2025
Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Krause Memorial Library, Rockford
Did you know that major home energy rebates are ending in December? NOW is the time to make your home more energy-efficient and save money while doing it.
Part 1: Home Energy 101
Brett Little, Education Manager at West Michigan’s Green Home Institute, will present ways you may not have thought about to make your home healthier, more sustainable, and cost-efficient.
Part 2: Discover Rebates Up to $34,000
Plus, get step-by-step instructions on how to access home energy rebates before they run out. Victoria Munro from Walker-Miller Energy Services will help you understand what energy rebates are available through the Michigan Home Energy Rebate (MIHER) program and how to apply. As much as $34,000 per household is available for those who qualify!
Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team (REST)
Come join us to remove shrubs at Memorial Park!
Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team (REST)
Come join us to remove the shrubs at Memorial Park!