Meet the volunteers beautifying Arizona roadsides

We are thrilled to introduce 18 new Adopt a Highway volunteer groups formed during the last quarter, Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. And we’ll share more about a long-time celebrated group, whose annual 45-mile cleanup brings them back to the new volunteer list each year. 

We’ll begin with special recognition for three groups reporting cleanups within the first 90 days of receiving their permits:

• Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association: Twenty individuals filled 18 bags along State Route 90 in Sierra Vista.
• Courtney Whitten we love and miss you: Three individuals honoring Courtney reported 12 trash bags filled along State Route 79 in Florence. 
• Kevin’s Customs LLC Stronghold ICF: A team of 11 filled just as many bags along US 60 in Vernon. 

Collectively, these individuals bagged 600 pounds of trash, highlighting the power of a few people coming together to reduce litter. We are grateful and look forward to seeing bag counts increase as new groups follow their lead.

We’re also recognizing the “All the Way to the Border" group whose annual one-day event, held in January for the past 11 years, brings followers from around Arizona and beyond to support a cleanup stretching 45 miles along State Route 286. 

The event is unique in that the permit covers the entire length of the route for one day, between Three Points at State Route 86 and Sasabe at the Arizona-Mexico border. Volunteers anticipate the invitation to register each year, and the impact they make is astounding. This year, 100 participants filled 164 bags and rounded up other trash along the route weighing about 2,600 pounds. 

These are just a few examples of the meaningful efforts made by our growing team of volunteers. If forming your own force of do-gooders appeals to you, please visit azdot.gov/adoptahighway for adoption information and forms.  

For those already volunteering with us, we’d like the opportunity to inspire others by sharing your story and photos with our readers. If you’d like to tell us about your Adopt a Highway experience please contact me at [email protected].