Adopt-A-Highway Helps Clean Province

Helping to keep Nova Scotia clean takes a lot of effort. This spring, hundreds of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers will make an effort to clean up the scattered litter along our provincial roadsides.

Since the official launch of Nova Scotia's Adopt-A-Highway program in 1997, hundreds of volunteers have collected more than 4,000 bags of garbage and recyclables along 300 kilometres of roadway during the spring and fall. In 1998 alone, 364 kilometres of roadsides were cleaned and almost 2,600 bags filled.

Over the next several weekends, these volunteers will pull on their boots and safety vests and participate in what is now a nationally and internationally recognized litter clean-up program.

"The work of the volunteers has not gone unnoticed and it is important to recognize these people for their efforts and commitment," said Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "The Adopt-A-Highway groups help make their community and our province a better place to live."

The Adopt-A-Highway program involves volunteers caring for their local environment and fosters a strong sense of community identity and pride.

To be part of the program, volunteer groups commit to clean up a minimum of five kilometres of roadside twice a year for two years. In recognition of their efforts, the department posts highway signs that feature the name of the group and section of road adopted.

"The Adopt-A-Highway program works because dedicated volunteers take the time to clean up the litter that is found along the roadsides," said Theresa Osborne, co-ordinator of Nova Scotia's Adopt-A-Highway program.

"While this is not a fix, we hope that awareness of this program will encourage people to participate, to respect their environment and hopefully make them think twice before rolling down the window and throwing garbage out," said Mr. Huskilson.

Begun by the Women's Institute of Nova Scotia and the Lions Clubs of Nova Scotia, the program has grown to more than 70 groups over the last two years. For more information on how to get involved, contact Adopt-A-Highway at 902-893-6520.