This summer marks our 5^th anniversary open to the public at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.  May 4^th was the official anniversary date; we shared some cake with the team but otherwise it’s been “business as usual” this anniversary season.   We think the best way to celebrate is to keep doing what we love to do every day – invite guests in to experience the Rouge like we do, to see what we love about working here, and to share our passion for this place.

While I love sharing the history of the Rouge and seeing American manufacturing evolve here every day, one of the highlights of my job is helping to spread the word about our green architecture and sustainable site design.

May included two great outreach opportunities to talk about going green using the Rouge as an example specifically the sustainably designed storm water management system.  May 7^th we presented at University of Michigan Dearborn’s Rouge River Water Festival day.  May 21^st found us on the road again at the Clinton River Water Festival at Oakland University.  These two festivals had a combined attendance of approximately 3,000 fifth grade students from around southeast Michigan. The festivals include classes, presentations and hands-on experiences to learn more about watersheds and water science.  Our demonstration focused on two of the key sustainable design elements here at the Rouge, the 10.4 acre living roof on top of the Dearborn Truck Plant and the porous pavement parking lots; both part of the massive storm water management system that uses natural processes to slow, treat, and gently release up to 4,000,000 gallons of storm water each year back in to the Rouge River.

When we first opened many of our guests were quite baffled at why Ford Motor Company would focus on green design as a key feature of the Rouge Complex site redevelopment.  Our guests largely came to look at trucks and to celebrate this National Historic Landmark, few came to learn about birds, bees and trees.  Now they come to see both the manufacturing and the sustainable design in action.  As “going green” has become a larger focus in our culture over the past 5 years we’ve seen a shift in the attitudes and interests in our guests.  These days, many of our guests come specifically to learn more about the gold LEED certified visitor center (http://www.thehenryford.com/rouge/leed.aspx ) or to experience the Wildlife Habitat Council recognized site on our new Living Laboratory outdoor walking tour.

Celebrating our 5^th anniversary by continuing to grow and share with our guests sure makes working here, and at our off site outreach events, fun and interesting.  I encourage you to come experience the green side of the Factory Tour this summer.  I bet all of our birds, bees and trees just might surprise (and hopefully inspire) you!