Adopt-A-Highway Day Proclaimed

Hundreds of volunteers will soon be taking their volunteer efforts to the streets -- literally -- as they give Nova Scotia's highways an annual spring cleaning as part of the province's Adopt-A-Highway campaign.

In recognition of the more than 6,000 hours donated annually by these volunteers, the province is proclaiming Wednesday, May 4, Adopt-A-Highway Day in Nova Scotia.

"Litter alongside our highways is not only unsightly but can also be an environmental hazard," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "The hard work of these volunteers helps put a fresh, clean face on highways all over the province."

"Adopt-A-Highway volunteers have been sprucing up Nova Scotia highways since 1992," said Theresa Osborne, co-ordinator, Adopt- A-Highway. "Last year they picked up almost 5,000 bags of garbage and more than 200 bags of recyclables along 669 kilometres of highways and five interchange areas."

Mr. Russell said volunteers will be wearing fluorescent orange safety vests and may be fairly close to the road's driving surface as they pick up litter from adopted sections of highway.

"I urge all drivers to slow down and use extra caution whenever they come upon a clean-up crew."

Adopt-A-Highway is an internationally renowned roadside litter cleanup program. It protects and preserves the environmental health of the landscape and maintains scenic routes for motorists. In Nova Scotia it's supported by RRFB (Resource Recovery Fund Board) Nova Scotia, the Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia, the departments of Transportation and Public Works, Tourism and Culture, and Environment and Labour, the Lions Clubs of Nova Scotia, and Clean Nova Scotia.

More information about the Adopt-A-Highway Program is available by calling Theresa Osborne at 902-893-6520 or by e-mail at [email protected] . Information is also available on the website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/wi/projects/adopt.shtml .