NEBRASKA'S ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY PROGRAM

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History of Adopt-A-Highway "Great Nebraska Trash Off" Criteria for Adopting Application/Agreement Questions ?

History

The first Adopt-A-Highway program in the nation began in Texas in 1985, and is now international in scope. Nebraska's program officially began in April of 1990, through the efforts of Gretna State Senator, Emil Beyer.

The program is currently sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Roads. More info is available by calling 402-479-4843.

In the past 14 years, the Adopt-a-Highway program has grown to cover about one-quarter of the State’s 10,000 miles of roads and currently 1,379 groups have adopted a section of Nebraska roadsides as their own.

"Great Nebraska Trash Off"

The "Great Nebraska Trash Off " is an annual event, usually held in April, and is in its 14th year. This marathon day of cleaning Nebraska highways generates lots of fun and competition between groups, as well as good publicity for the program and those who participate. The results speak for themselves.

TRASH OFF	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Groups	226	357	382	477	428	463	362
Volunteers	3756	4284	4584	5950	5,552	6,554	5,778
Miles Cleaned	904	1428	1528	1908	1738	1,852	1,475

 

10 members from Midwest Covenant Home in Stromsburg take a break after picking up litter that filled 11 trash bags. They also picked up 1 wood pallet and 2 pieces of sheet rock along their adopted section on Hwy 81. (Click the photo to enlarge)

 

Criteria for Adopting

Basic guidelines:

• The adopting group must be non-profit.

• The group agrees to pick up adopted section twice a year for two years. (agreement is renewable).

• Sections are a minimum of two miles and a maximum of six.

• Adult supervision is required for volunteers under the age of 15.

• State provides the nameplate signs installed at each end of the adopted section, litter bags, traffic signs, safety vests, and disposes of the filled trash bags.

Application/Agreement

How to Make a Stretch of Highway Your Very Own

View/Print the Adopt-A-Highway Application/Agreement
(You will need Acrobat Reader to view this) 

1. Print the Application and fill it out.

2. Mail it to the NDOR District Office for the county where you want to adopt.

3. The District Office will process your Application and get in touch with you.

Not sure where to mail it?? Need help choosing an area to adopt?? Check here!