News Release Archive

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY OFFICIAL LAUNCH
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Adopt-A-Highway, an international roadside litter cleanup
program, will celebrate its official Nova Scotia launch at Port
Williams on Saturday, June 7, to coincide with Environment Week
and Transportation Week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held
at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Centre.

"This cleanup program demonstrates a great partnership of
government and volunteer groups," said Don Downe, minister of
transportation and public works. "We applaud the efforts and
commitment of the volunteer groups from across Nova Scotia who
will clean up stretches of roadsides this year, making our
province even more beautiful for passing motorists."

The Adopt-A-Highway program received funding in the fall from the 
departments of the Environment, Economic Development and Tourism,
and Transportation and Public Works.

It encourages volunteer groups to "adopt" a minimum
five-kilometre stretch of a 100-series controlled-access highway.
The groups are expected to conduct a litter pickup along the
roadsides twice annually, once in the spring and once in the
fall.

"Adopt-A-Highway is an act of kindness for the environment, and
an act of hospitality for our visitors," said Environment
Minister Wayne Adams. "These volunteers prove Nova Scotians
really do care about the environment."

The Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia, Lions Clubs of Nova Scotia
and the Clean Nova Scotia Foundation have managed the three-year
pilot project in various parts of the province. Additional
operating funds will enable these groups to promote the program
provincewide for one year.

"It's great that so many people are working to improve the view
along our highways," said Richie Mann, economic development and
tourism minister. "We're promoting nature tourism and are pleased
to support this effort to make our transportation routes more
scenic and attractive."

The official launch will follow a cleanup of the Port Williams
area by volunteer groups. They'll be joined by Mr. Downe;
Meinhard Doelle, executive director of the Clean Nova Scotia
Foundation; Louis Benedict, chairman of the Port Williams Village
Commission; Tim Graves, King Lion, Port Williams Lions Club;
Marie Griffin, president of the Port Williams Women's Institute,
and others to officially launch the program.

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Contact: Theresa Osborne
         Adopt-A-Highway Office
         902-893-6520

trp                      June 5, 1997 - 4:25 p.m.