Adopt A Highway

Adopt-A-Highway Programs provide an avenue for individuals, organizations, or businesses to help; maintain sections of roadside within Beltrami County. In addition to the aesthetic benefits of cleaner and more beautiful roadsides, participants help to prevent potential, pollutants from entering our waterways and save Beltrami County taxpayer dollars.

The Adopt-A-Highway Program provides a great opportunity to promote civic responsibility, community pride, and camaraderie within organizations. And, even though the Adopt-A-Highway Program may not be used as a forum for advertising or public discourse, Adopt-A-Highway courtesy signs provide prominent recognition for its participants.

How Does It Work?

Community groups, churches, individuals or businesses adopt a highway by picking up litter on both sides of the highway for at least two years.

An Application form must be filled out by the organization or individual wanting to adopt a section of highway.  The group leader should drop off the application at the Beltrami County Highway Department and verify that the section of highway is available or adoptable.

The group leader is responsible for reviewing the Terms and Conditions with all participants. 

The Volunteer Sign in Sheet must be signed by each volunteer participant in the cleanup.  All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian signature. The group leader is responsible for keeping the original copy of all Sign in Sheets and a copy must be mailed to the Beltrami County Highway Department at the address shown on the Form. Please make sure to list any hazardous material and its location on this form.

Adopt a highway Groups Agree To:

  • Adopt a highway for a minimum of two years

  • Select a segment of highway approximately two miles in length

  • Pick up litter on both sides of a Highway

  • Pick up litter as often as it needs it, spring through fall, usually two-three times a year.  The spring pickup should be done in April or May before the grass grows

  • Notify Beltrami County after every pickup.  Have your Adopt-A-Highway number when you call

Beltrami County Will:

  • Provide safety vest, trash bags and safety information

  • Remove filled bags from the roadsides, remove large, heavy or hazardous items

  • Erect a 3’x 5’ highway sign to recognize your group’s commitment.  The sign legend is the name of your group only, not its message.  It is limited to two lines of 16-18 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

Why Care?

  • Litter is unsightly.  It destroys the natural beauty of Beltrami County

  • Litter is expensive.  Minnesota spends millions of dollars a year collecting litter

  • Scenic and litter-free highways say “Welcome” to visitors and help make us proud to be Minnesotans.

Life Span of Litter
Item Decomposition Time
Styrofoam Never
Glass bottle Approx. 1 million years
Plastic 6pk cover 450 years
Aluminum 80-100 years
Rubber boot sole 50-80 years
Leather up to 50 years
Nylon fabric 30-40 years
Plastic film container 20-30 years
Painted wooden stake 13 years
Plastic bag 10-20 years
Plastic coated paper 5 years
Wool clothing 1-5 years
Cigarette butt 1-5 years
Cotton rag 1-5 months
Orange or banana peel 2-5 weeks

What Else Should You Know?

  • Beltrami County will help your group select a highway to adopt.  Roads that have very heavy traffic or are inaccessible to pedestrians are not eligible

  • Your group’s representative will sign an agreement on behalf of the group

  • All participants must review the safety information provided by Beltrami County before every pickup

  • Participants must be 12 years old. Those participants 18 years old or younger must have adequate adult supervision

  • Work is not permitted on or near holidays or other times when very heavy traffic occurs

  • Groups should leave filled trash bags along the roadside as specified by Beltrami County  Highway Department.  Groups are encouraged to recycle materials for their own benefit

  • Groups are not allowed to pick in medians or construction areas