April O'Neil / news@WHMI.com

The Michigan Department of Transportation's first Adopt-A-Highway pickup of the year will take place April 22-30.

In an annual rite of spring, volunteers will fan out across lower Michigan to give state highway roadsides their first cleaning.

"Our thousands of Adopt-A-Highway volunteers are dedicated to keeping roadsides in their communities clean," said MDOT Acting Director Brad Wieferich. "They make a huge difference every year. Let’s help them stay safe while they’re out there – keep an eye out for the volunteers and drive cautiously during the pickup periods."

The AAH program began in Michigan in 1990. Today, around 2,900 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway.

In a typical year, volunteers collect 60,000 to 70,000 bags of trash, providing an estimated $5 million value for the state.

Volunteers pick up litter three times each year. Statewide, there will be a summer pickup from July 15-23 and a fall pickup from Sept. 23-Oct. 1.

AAH groups wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations when working within a highway right of way. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash. Volunteers include members of various civic groups, businesses, and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old, and each group must number at least three people.

Sections of highway are still available for adoption. Groups are asked to adopt a section for at least two years. AAH signs bearing a group's name are posted along the stretch of adopted highway. There is no fee to participate.

More information can be found at the provided link.