You can help keep Wisconsin highways clean and green.
The Wisconsin DOT is looking for groups willing to adopt a state highway. Jim Merriman with the DOT's Adopt-A-Highway program says it allows groups to volunteer and support the state's anti-litter program in a direct and visible way.
Wisconsin has about 3,000 groups keeping the roads clean, but Wisconsin has about 12,000 miles of state highways.
And, considering the tight budget, it's increasingly important to have volunteers help to keep roadsides clear of debris and litter. Merriman says his agency provides the safety vests and trash bags and county highway crews pick up the bags of collected trash. There is no expense to participants.
Each crew is assigned a two-mile stretch of state highway, and should pick up litter at least three times each year.
If you want, the DOT will install a sign announcing your group's sponsorship of a highway. Political groups need not apply. Each year, Wisconsin Adopt-A-Highway groups clean up about 300 tons of litter along state highways — about 30 tons of that are recyclables. Check the DOT website for more information.
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