Join Us!
Upcoming Events
View the calendar to see our upcoming events, or scroll down to see the details!
Keep coming back for updates.
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 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).
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 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
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
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
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
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!
City Council Votes on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP)
At the August City Council meeting, the council will review Rockford’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) and vote on adopting it.
The SCAP research team—GZA consulting group—will present the plan to City Council. The SCAP has taken approximately 1 year to research and draft. It was reviewed and advised by the SusCom, who ensured that community input from public work sessions was considered in the final draft. The SusCom put forward a motion for City Council approval of the plan in an effort to fulfill Michigan’s goal for climate neutrality by 2050.
Raingarden Maintenance at the Community Cabin
Please join us for installation of edging around and weeding of the raingarden/stream buffer just south of the Rockford Community Cabin.
