Join Us!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events.
View the calendar to see our upcoming events, or scroll down to see the details!
Keep coming back for updates.
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!
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.
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!
Gardening: Beneath the Surface with Native Plants
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 Rockford Dog Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at Pickett Park on Gaylord Dr. From there we’ll walk to the Rockford Dog 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!
Please note: site may change if Garlic Mustard and Dames Rocket have not grown by this date.
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 move and pile the previously cut woody invasive shrubs for the city to pick up and shred.
Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park!
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.
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!
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.
Trivia Night at Rockford Brewing Company
Join the Rockford Sustainability Committee and Rockford Brewing Company for a night of trivia fun!
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!
Ecosteward Day at Rockford Dog Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at Pickett Park. From there we'll walk to the Rockford Dog Park to remove Garlic Mustard and Dames Rocket.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park.
Ecosteward Day at Rockford Dog Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at Pickett Park. From there we'll walk to the Rockford Dog Park to inventory trees that were planted in 2023 and also remove invasive plants as needed.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Come join us & make a difference towards restoring a unique urban natural park.
Ecosteward Day at Glen Park
Come join the Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team at Glen Park to remove woody invasive shrubs.
Tools, gloves, plant identification and instructions will be provided. 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 Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove woody invasive shrubs.
Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & 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 Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to plant native forbs, grasses, sedges, and ferns along the Rum Creek bank.
Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & 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 Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to plant native trees and/or shrubs in places cleared of woody invasive shrubs.
Afterward Herman’s Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance. Come join & 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 Dr. From there we’ll walk to the boardwalk of Memorial Park to remove woody invasive shrubs.
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.
Go Green! Trivia Night
How much do you know about sustainability? Get your trivia team together and join us for some fun, and facts. Test your sustainability chops and take home some great prizes!
Annual Rogue River Cleanup
Instead of our monthly 1st Saturday of the month event, SusCom's Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team is partnering with Rogue River Watershed Partners, Trout Unlimited Schrems Chapter & the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds to join their annual Rogue River Clean Up
Meet at Richardson-Sowerby Park
SusCom's focus will be removing invasive garlic mustard and dames rocket along the dog park trail on the west side of the river. This is part of our ongoing maintenance of a streambank restoration project funded by Trout Unlimited that you all helped us complete in Fall 2023.
You have the option of joining us or participating in any of the
RRWP/LGROW activites. See link for full details. https://www.facebook.com/events/1153809839572220
Participants are also invited to Rockford Brewing Co. immediately following the cleanup for a social hour - $1 off beer pints for event participants only between 1-3p
EPS (Styrofoam) Collection Event
We are collecting EPS (Styrofoam) that snaps when you break it! Flexible foam is not recyclable. To recycle other materials, such as electronics or plastics, please visit the North Kent Recycling & Waste Center on 10 Mile Rd.
A Healthy Environment: Is It Our Right or Privilege?
Pure water, clean air, healthy environment - all rights we used to take for granted in our country. Unlike free speech or free assembly, these very basic rights are NOT enshrined in our constitution. One very energetic and determined woman is on a mission to change that - one state at a time. We are pleased to welcome, from her home in Pennsylvania, Maya VanRossum, author and founder of Green Amendments for the Generations, to talk about the movement in Michigan.
Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk
Springtime! Time to ooh & aah over the beauty of Springtime Ephemerals. Come join Rockford's Environmental Stewardship Team (REST) for a walk in Luton Park accompanied by local Botonist and Artist, Georgia Donovan. Meet at the Prairie Overlook parking lot on Kies Avenue. Afterwards we'll retire to 3rd Nature Brewing, a local business green leader, for camraderie and refreshments to celebrate the successes of SUSCOM & it's Rockford's Environmental Stewardship Team. Rain date will be Saturday, April 19 1-3:30 PM
Insects: Where Have They All Gone?
BUGS! EWWW! That's the reaction when most of us think of insects. But, these little powerhouses keep our planet running. Join us to learn how insects can even help fight invaders. Get to know and love your insects with some help from MSU Entomology Professor Ernest Delfosse. Fun for the whole family!
Rockford Environmental Stewardship Team (REST)
Want to learn about the first Springtime wildflower - Skunk Cabbage one of 6 exothermic plants worldwide, how cool is that - 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. Please dress warmly, wear heavy work gloves. Tools, plant identification and instructions will be provided. Afterward Herman's Boy is directly across the street for warmth & sustenance :) PS: Skunk Cabbage heat generating properties allow it to melt through snow & ice to be the first to emerge.