ST. PAUL , MINN (KWAD) The Minnesota Department of Transportation appreciates the hard work of thousands of Adopt a Highway volunteers statewide who help keep Minnesota roadsides clean and free of litter each year and we invite more people to join this important program, and motorists are reminded to give volunteers plenty of safe space to work.

During 2024, Adopt a Highway volunteers removed nearly 29,000 bags of trash from Minnesota highways and rest areas. MnDOT currently works with more than 1,680 volunteer groups statewide, collectively those groups volunteered over 80,000 hours to pick up litter for the program.

With at least 1,000 sections currently available for adoption across Minnesota, MnDOT welcomes more groups to volunteer and visit MnDOT’s Adopt a Highway website to connect with their local Adopt a Highway coordinator.

Volunteers are asked to commit to the program for at least two years and are encouraged to pick up litter from both sides of their roadway section at least twice a year. The average length of an adopted roadway is about two miles. MnDOT posts signs along adopted segments to recognize the name of volunteer groups cleaning that area.

There are also opportunities to pick-up litter at certain rest areas, or sign-up for a one-day Pick a Highway event.

MnDOT does provide safety information, trash bags and safety vests to every volunteer. Our maintenance crews will pick up the filled bags of trash that volunteers leave along the side of the road.

Motorists are encouraged to slow down, move over and use caution whenever they see an Adopt a Highway volunteer group or maintenance crew picking up trash along the roadway.

The Adopt a Highway program has been part of MnDOT’s maintenance operations since 1990.