The Minnesota Department of Transportation thanks the thousands of Adopt a Highway volunteers who help us keep Minnesota roadsides clean and free of litter each year. We invite more people to join this important program.
During 2023, Adopt A Highway volunteers removed more than 42,100 bags of trash from Minnesota highways and rest areas. MnDOT currently works with 2,021 volunteer groups statewide, collectively those groups volunteered almost 100,000 hours to pick up litter for the program. With at least 900 sections currently available for adoption across Minnesota, MnDOT welcomes more groups to volunteer.
Groups who want to volunteer should visit MnDOT’s Adopt a Highway website to connect with their local program coordinator.
Volunteers are asked to commit to the Adopt a Highway program for at least two years and should 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 the adopted segments to recognize the names of volunteer groups.
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.
