Have you ever driven down the road and noticed folks carrying large orange garbage bags and picking up trash along the side of the highway? If so, chances are pretty good they’re volunteers with our Adopt a Highway program. Adopt a Highway is a roadside maintenance and enhancement program that’s entirely volunteer-based, and it’s something individuals, groups and non- and for-profit organizations can be proud to be a part of.
Curious to learn more about the program?
Take our Adopt a Highway Quiz
- How old do you have to be to participate as a volunteer?
- Over 10 years old
- Over 16 years old
- Over 18 years of age, or 12-18 years old with a supervisor who is over 18
Answer: c, Over 18 years of age, or 12-18 years old with a supervisor who is over 18
- What is the minimum length of highway required to adopt and the minimum time commitment required to volunteer?
- Minimum 10 kilometres for a minimum of 5 years
- Minimum 1 kilometre for a minimum of 1 hour
- Minimum 2 kilometres for a minimum of 2 years
- Answer: c, Minimum 2 kilometres for a minimum of 2 years
- What are the Adopt a Highway activities I can help with?
- Litter pick-up
- Spotting and reporting of non-toxic invasive plants
- Hand-pulling of non-toxic invasive plants that make it harder for native species to grow. (optional)
- Landscape maintenance, landscape planting and beautification
- Other work that may be appropriate for the site
- All of the above
Answer: f, All of the above
- What is required from volunteers?
- Roadside pickup, 4 times a year
- Liability Insurance
- Knowing the Adopt a Highway Volunteer Safety Rules
- All of the above
Answer: d, All of the above
- What types of activities do groups like to do after volunteering?
- A barbecue
- A picnic
- A potluck
- All of the above
Answer: d, All of the above
- What are the benefits of volunteering?
- Feeling a sense of pride
- Feeling connected to your community
- Beautifying your local roadsides
- All of the above
Answer: d, all of the above
- How do the district offices lend a hand?
- We organize safety training (with 5 days notice)
- We organize safety gear (with 5 days notice)
- We arrange for maintenance contractors to collect the trash on the day of the clean up.
- All of the above
Answer: d, all of the above
- What type of gear is provided?
- Safety signs and vests
- Biodegradable garbage bags and garbage tongs
- Plants and flowers
- Both a & b
Answer: d, both a & b. If gardening is your hobby, you can inquire about donating plants/flowers and maintaining them in your adopted area.
- What type of gear can I bring?
- Sturdy shoes
- Sunscreen
- Gloves
- Water to keep hydrated
- All of the above
Answer: e, all of the above
- Can my group get a roadside sign to recognize our efforts? Answer: After helping with litter pickup, you can apply for an Adopt a Highway sign with your organization’s name.
Feel the satisfaction of crossing volunteering off your list. If you want to find out more, check out our Adopt a Highway page, and contact your local district office about available sections of highway.
Thanks for your participation!
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