Dakota County Adopt-a-Highway Program

General Description

The Adopt-a-Highway program looks for volunteer groups to collect litter along designated segments of Dakota County highways to help keep roadsides clean. Coordination of the program and supplies (safety vests, trash bags and training) are provided by Dakota County Transportation staff.

Interested? Check to see what sections of roadway are currently available for adoption on our Adopt-a-Highway map. If you find a section of interest, fill in an application to get the onboarding process started. For more information about the program, review the Adopt-a-Highway Brochure and Safety Tips.

Please note: we do not allow single person AAH groups. If you are interested in volunteering in this way, consider signing up for a one-time roadside cleanup event. 

Benefits

• Keeps our local roadsides beautiful and free of litter
• Helps remove harmful pollutants and substances
• Prevents litter from obstructing vehicle and pedestrian traffic
• Great public service project for groups and families
• Saves taxpayers money each year
• Community recognition for you group/family

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Assign a leader for your AAH group. Group leaders keep track of group attendance, hours performed, and # of bags left at the side of the road for pickup.
• All participants are responsible for reviewing AAH procedures and safety guidelines before performing a cleanup. Event information should be shared across the group when necessary.
• AAH groups commit to cleaning up their designated roadway segment twice a year. Groups pick the times and dates to go out during the season.
• Groups are welcomed to clean up more than twice depending on trash frequency and weather.
• Groups are required to report hours and participation to our volunteer management website - Better Impact. If a group has back to back misses in adding hours or performing seasonal cleanups, the group's sign will be removed and the section of road will be put back up for adoption. We recommend group's follow the schedule below to ensure required cleanups are completed annually. 

AAH Annual Cleanup Schedule

1st Cleanup Timeline: March - July 4th 

2nd Cleanup Timeline: Mid-July - November

Minimum Qualifications

• Group sizes can vary per cleanup.
• Adults need to accompany anyone 17 years old or younger. Group leaders must be 18 years old or older or have an adult present during a cleanup event. 
• Groups are expected to keep up with their annual commitments (two cleanups annually) or section will be forfeited and signs will be removed by county staff.
• Group leaders are expected to record hours, group numbers and location of trash bags in Better Impact after each completed event.
• Group are expected to maintain contact and group information in the group's Better Impact account.

Minimum Time Commitment

Allow 1 - 3 hours per cleanup event, 2 times a year.

Activity Level

Easy - May include light work or walking short distances over relatively level terrain. Comfortable shoes recommended.

Additional Information

Getting Started

To apply, fill out a volunteer application and we will review the section of road desired to make sure it is open for adoption. Once your application is approved, your group is ready to pick up supplies and begin.

Free Recognition Signs

Individuals or groups agreeing to contribute time to clean up the roadway twice a year (spring & fall) for a minimum of two years, will receive a 24” by 30” recognition signs, installed free for their contribution.*

*Dakota County will provide signage with the volunteer group's name only. Depending on the group name, modifications may need to be made to fit lettering limitations.  Messages (political, religious, social, etc.) or other advertising will not be allowed on the sign.

Contact Information

Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator

Dakota County Communications

1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033

Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us