Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Adopt a Highway

A program that turns community involvement into cleaner roadsides

Safety and parking

Watch the safety video above prior to each pick.

Safety first, safety always

  • Group leaders are responsible to ensure that each volunteer reviews the safety information, are able to work safely and understand the requirements listed in the AAH guidelines.
  • Volunteers should know that they will work in a potentially hazardous environment and must agree to diligently follow all safety requirements. Failure to comply with safety requirements could result in cancellation of the agreement.
  • Volunteers should not pick up litter on medians between roadways, median on or off ramps, center of roundabouts, bridges, in tunnels, on overpasses or around other structures that may pose a danger.
  • If a volunteer finds a weapon, DO NOT touch it.
    • Call 911 to report it.
  • Be aware of ticks, snakes and other animals you may encounter during the pick.
  • Avoid poison ivy, wild parsnips (PDF), or other noxious weeds. Stay away from recently applied herbicides.
  • Avoid abandoned containers, regulated waste and hazardous materials - DO NOT TOUCH!
    • If you find any materials such as propane tanks, hypodermic needles or syringes, explosives, dead animals, abandoned containers*, sharp objects or heavy/large items; please mark the location and notify your AAH coordinator. MnDOT personnel will manage this waste.

      *Abandoned containers include: drums, buckets, cans with lids, etc.
      Keep a safe distance and stay up wind. Call 911 if emergency.

  • If you notice any of the following conditions in water areas contact your AAH coordinator to report possible illicit discharge:
    • Sheen
    • Color/unusual appearance
    • Staining
    • Erosion or high flow
    • Odor

Parking

  • Carpool to the site whenever possible and park in a nearby public parking lot.
  • There is no parking on state right of way unless MnDOT approves. Contact your AAH coordinator for questions.
  • If your pick site is an interstate highway, contact your AAH coordinator for questions.
  • Volunteers working along the interstate must be 18-years old or older.