How to get involved

Michael Geraghty, with Caltrans, recommends groups interested in participating pick a few potential sections of local state highways to clean up as some spots have already been claimed.

“Before going out on the roads, there’s a safety orientation done by a Caltrans supervisor and we go over accessibility and people get helmets, vests, litter picker uppers and bags,” he said. “I always mention the importance of safety being near the road because there are potential dangers and hazards.”

He said people are told to stay at least 6 feet away from the paved road, face oncoming traffic and have someone on the lookout, among other things.

“We have two different types of adoptions,” he said. “With a sponsored adoption, the group uses a contractor and the contractor performs the work. With the volunteer adoption, they organize their own group to go out and do the work themselves.”

With either adoption, the group gets a sign with the sponsor or group name or they can pay for a custom, color sign – both have to fit some standard guidelines and be approved by Caltrans.

“There are other adoptions types aside from removing litter,” Geraghty said. “There are tree and shrub planting adoptions, wildflower plating adoptions, graffiti removal adoptions and vegetation control adoptions.”

He said onramps, offramp and other sections of the highways can be adopted by a group or organization.

Caltrans District 3 Adopt-a-highway info

www.adopt-a-highway.dot.ca.gov. michael.geraghty@dot.ca.gov. 741-4002.