Published June 30, 2026

The Friends of the Rouge non-profit organization (FOTR), recently selected Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud as the recipient of its Best Friend of the Rouge Award for his contributions to the organization, and commitment to the health and safety of the Rouge River.

According to the organization, Mayor Hammoud’s leadership has helped improve environmental initiatives throughout the city. This includes bringing rain gardens to local parks, partnering with the Friends of the Rouge to educate the community on the importance of managing rainwater, creating a template for the future of sustainability along the important watershed.
 

FOTR also presented Hammoud with a special recognition from Senator Gary Peters for receiving the Best Friend of the Rouge Award.

Cyndi Ross, Restoration Manager at Friends of the Rouge stated, “Mayor Hammoud's dedication to expanding rain gardens and community education has created a healthier, more resilient Rouge River. Dearborn’s partnership, and the Mayor’s strong support, ensures a lasting environmental impact for future generations."

In addition, the City of Dearborn recently celebrated the completion of the new Rouge River trail, a project Hammoud has been closely involved in, and further enhances the community’s connection to the river and its restoration efforts.

Hammoud stated, “I am honored to receive this award from the Friends of the Rouge. To me, it reflects Dearborn’s shared commitment to environmental stewardship. Through our partnerships, we are working together to protect the rouge, and build a sustainable, resilient future for the community.”

For more information about the project and the Friends of the Rouge organization, visit TheRouge.org.  

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About Friends of the Rouge
Friends of the Rouge (FOTR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1986 to raise awareness about the need to clean up the Rouge River in southeast Michigan.