All the Way to the Border cleanup sees 100 volunteers

Melissa Owen continues to generate inspiration and community spirit for a one-of-a-kind Adopt a Highway trash cleanup spanning all 45 miles of State Route 286, including the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, between Three Points junction at State Route 86 and Sasabe at the Arizona-Mexico border. 

About 100 individuals from the Tucson area and as far away as Kansas participated in the 11th Annual All the Way to the Border cleanup held Saturday, Jan. 31. 

“This year I really want to dedicate the ‘All the Way to the Border’ cleanup to our faithful volunteers,” Owen said during a safety briefing for volunteers. “Many people who take part have done so every January since the beginning of the event 11 years ago.  Most of them don’t live on Highway 286 but they come because they care about public lands. More than ever before, I think, we all will need to depend on each other to maintain and protect the areas we love and appreciate.”  

Honor students from the local school and those who live and work in the area filled 164 trash bags on Saturday and piled 400 pounds of car parts and construction debris along the route for ADOT’s Southcentral District Maintenance crew to collect and haul back to the yard for proper disposal.

What is unique about the All the Way to the Border permit is that it covers all volunteer activity along a continuous stretch for one day. Owen’s supporters secure the permit prior to the cleanup to accelerate the process for volunteers to simply check in, choose a mile from a detailed whiteboard-drawn map, and pick up safety vests and trash bags before heading out to bag trash. 

I’d like to thank Melissa Owen for heartfelt hospitality that brings like-minded individuals together to help keep Arizona grand. This includes support from the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, Altar Valley Middle School, Trico Electric Cooperative, Rancho Sierra Vista de Sasabe and Pozo Verde Wildlife Preserve. 

Volunteer cleanups move the needle in a positive direction to reduce highway trash along state managed highways in Arizona. If you’d like to learn more about adopting a highway in your area or joining an ADOT hosted event please visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway.