News release

Adopt-A-Highway Program Continues its Fight Against Litter

Transportation and Public Works (to Oct. 2007)

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Adopt-A-Highway Program Continues its Fight Against Litter


A small army of volunteers in orange vests will soon be taking to the roads for the 11th annual Adopt-A-Highway spring cleanup.

This year marks the first-ever Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on a 100- series highway interchange. The interchange cleanup will take place on Highway 102, at Exit 8 at Elmsdale, on Monday, May 12.

Premier John Hamm recognized the efforts of volunteers and proclaimed Sunday, May 4, as Adopt-A-Highway Day.

"The proclamation recognizes the volunteer spirit of participants as they help keep our highways and environment clean and litter free," said Premier Hamm. "Keep up the good work."

Transportation and Public Works Minister Michael Baker said the Adopt-A-Highway Program has provided a valuable service for the past 11 years.

"We're pleased to support this program as it encourages a healthy environment for all Nova Scotians and for our visitors," said Mr. Baker.

Volunteers are being allowed onto highway interchanges as part of a three-year pilot project announced last fall. In previous years, they cleaned secondary highways only. A rain date for the highway interchange cleanup is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14.

"This year is a big step forward for us in our goal to eventually include all 100-series highways in our cleanups," said Gaynol Keith, co-ordinator of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. "We're grateful for the support of volunteers and to the Department of Transportation and Public Works for their assistance."

Since the Adopt-A-Highway program began in Nova Scotia in 1992, more than 150 volunteer groups have adopted more than 750 kilometres of roadway along secondary highways. Annually, volunteers collect more than 6,000 bags of litter.

Staff of the Department of Transportation and Public Works provide support by removing bagged garbage and other material, as well as providing safety vests, garbage bags and flagging tape. Staff also arrange for the removal of animal carcasses and hazardous goods that are flagged. The department recognizes individual groups by placing Adopt-A-Highway signs on the roadway.

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

More information about the Adopt-A-Highway Program is available by calling Gaynol Keith at 902-893-6520 or by e-mail to keithga@gov.ns.ca .

Information is also available on the Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/wi/projects/adopt.htm . Visitors can also watch a video of a recent Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on the Department of Transportation and Public Works Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/tran/otherinformation/AdoptAHwy.stm .