PHOTO PROVIDED CleanScapes helps caring community groups and businesses organize private clean up events and offers public programming that produces immediate and long-lasting results. When areas are cleaned up and maintained, people are less likely to feel it’s OK to litter if they don’t see litter. When roadsides aren’t adopted, litter collects quickly. Ready to learn more or thinking about adopting a site? Visit cleanscapes-ncpa.com, www.adoptahighway.penndot.pa.gov and www.keeppabeautiful.org/programs/land-stewards.

Saving the state’s millions of dollars each year, the Adopt-a-Highway program offers caring community members a time-proven solution to keep our roadsides litter-free. The program began 40 years ago in Texas. Since that time, 49 states have Adopt-a-Highway programs. Ever growing, similar programs are now established worldwide. The adoption model continues to expand.

Through other agencies, groups can adopt school yards, parks, rivers, trails and other publicly owned lands.

Springtime is PA Pick-It-Up litter cleanup season and Clinton County CleanScapes is ready to go. Speaking with CleanScapes Project Director Elisabeth Lynch, she shared her thoughts.

“After the snow melts and before the mowing season begins, I travel around the county searching for public areas that might need a little help. I’ve always focused on riverbanks, state owned land and municipal roadsides but this year things are different,” Lynch said. “Routes 150 and 64 were usually OK, well maintained by community groups, but this year the amount of litter I’ve seen is a bit shocking. Then I noticed PennDOT’s Adopt-a-Highway designated group name sign was removed. Why?”

Lynch contacted the local Adopt-a-Highway coordinator. After many years, a group may end their agreement, and another group adopts the section — that’s normal. But when multiple connected sections are available at the same time, long stretches of roadway accumulate large amounts of litter over time. This is when CleanScapes jumps in to help.

“For 25-years the CleanScapes board and our volunteers have taken on sites that require concentrated efforts by multiple agencies. PennDOT’s adopted roadsides are well maintained and we rarely hold roadside events. This spring we will focus on Route 150 and with enough interest and help, also clean up sections of Route 64,” Lynch said. “Let’s get them cleaned up and ready for new groups to adopt these roadsides. Bottom line — we don’t like litter, we’re in the PA WILDS, and our nation’s 250 birthday is next year. I’m not sure what else I can say except CleanScapes needs help to clean up Clinton County and there are roads available for adoption.”

CleanScapes needs your help.

On April 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, clean up teams will collect litter on state Route 150 from Mill Hall through Bald Eagle Township. All registered participants will be provided with lunch, refreshments, clean-up supplies and Saturday’s meeting location.

Registration is requested by Friday, April 11, before noon.

Contact CleanScapes at clintoncountycleanscapes@yahoo.com or leave a voice message at 570-726-3511. To learn more visit cleanscapes-ncpa.com.

Event funding provided by Don and Brenda Lysle and Bald Eagle Township Partner assistance provided by Clinton County Probation, PennDOT District 2, Keep PA Beautiful, the Wayne Township Landfill and PA DEP.