Earth Month May Be Over, But The Work Continues          
          
(May 4, 2009) - On a sunny April day in 1989, Boy Scout Troop #339 from Severna Park met with Governor William Donald Schaefer to pick up trash along Baltimore and Annapolis Boulevard (B&A). That good deed marked the beginning of the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Twenty years later, Boy Scout Troop #339 is still doing its civic duty to Keep Maryland Beautiful.           

 

During Earth Month, 40 members of Boy Scout Troop #339 continued its commitment and went out again along with 10 adults to clear litter from B&A Boulevard. The Troop holds its meetings in Woods Memorial Church, and once a month on Wednesday they take their meetings “to the street.”           
These past 20 years have seen a marked increase in the number of individuals, organizations and corporations that have embraced the concept of a litter-free highway. Working in groups both large and small throughout the State, volunteers faithfully and regularly don their reflective orange vests, protective gloves, and work together to curtail the amount of litter that finds its way to our roads, and eventually streams and the Chesapeake Bay.          

 

In fact, there are 27 groups in Maryland that have been active since the Adopt-A-Highway program began. Their efforts helped to make up the 1,587 volunteers who have picked up 1,446 bags of litter from along State roads since January.           

 

In 1999, the State began using inmate labor as another resource for clearing litter, and in 2006, SHA initiated the Sponsor-A-Highway program. Sponsoring groups, such as corporations, offices, or local businesses, may contract with an SHA pre-approved maintenance provider to pick up litter along a section of highway. Maintenance providers enter into agreements with the corporate sponsors to remove litter, and sponsors are acknowledged with a sign displaying the company logo. Currently, the program includes 55 sponsors. A complete list of sponsors is attached to this release.           

 

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and SHA recognize that attractive highways create a positive image that enhances Marylanders’ quality of life and supports state and local economic development efforts. The removal of litter and trash from state highways is therefore one of several important ways in which SHA works to accomplish its mission of providing a safe, well-maintained and attractive highway system that enhances Maryland’s communities, economy and environment.           

 

“By partnering with the business community to reduce litter along the roads, more resources are available to protect the environment,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “Not only does it help maintain the beauty of Maryland, but clear roads contribute to keeping roads safe for travelers, promoting tourism and supporting economic development.”          

More importantly, litter on the highways is more than unsightly; it blows into forests, streams and rivers and has caused significant damage to the Chesapeake Bay and the birds and fish that inhabit them. That damage is passed on to humans, which is why, in a series of recent public service announcements, SHA reminds citizens that what we do to the Bay through our littering, we do to ourselves.          

In celebration of Earth month in April, in addition to the public service announcements on radio stations around the state, SHA hosted a tribute to the original volunteer groups. AAH groups had 655 volunteers across the State pick up 649 bags of trash. Since the program’s inception, 218,574 bags of litter have been removed from the roads at a savings that amounts to $4,035,938!          

For more information on both the Adopt-A-Highway and Sponsor-A-Highway programs, contact Beverly Goetz, AAH Coordinator at BGoetz@sha.state.md.us.          
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20-Year Adopt-A-Highway Groups          

VFW Wicomico Memorial Post # 10159, Poplar Hill Pre-release, Burrisville Ruritan Club, Choptank Ruritan Club, Denton Church of the Brethren, Denton Lion’s Club, Federalsburg Lion’s Club, Idlewild Ruritan Club, James Earl Spicher, MCEA Chapter 34 – SHA, Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church, Prospect Lodge M.W.P.H.G.L., Ridgely Church of the Brethern, Bowie Crofton Garden Club, Feedom’s Few Motorcycle Club, The Nigerian Friendship Association, The Corvette Club, Boy Scout Troop #339, Boys and Girls Club of Washington County, Maugansville Ruritan Club, Baust United Church of Christ, Cicitan Club of Frederick, Knights of Columbus #7612, Lineboro-Manchester Lion’s Club, Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Taneydale Farms, and the Westminister Kiwanis Club.          

Sponsor-A-Highway Sponsors          

Close Call America, Royal Farms, MSO Polar Bear Plunges, Aggregate Industries (800Concrete), Darcars, IHOP #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, One Communication, Revere Bank, Ledo Pizza, TBG/The Banneker Group LLC, Holiday Inn Express – Branch Avenue, Sleep Inn Upper Marlboro, Interchange Reconstruction, Rosecroft Raceway, Gilford Corporation, Marjam Building Supply, Art Display Company, Univ. of Maryland – Medical Center, St. John Properties, Northwest Hospital Center, Chapin Davis, Towson University, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, M&N Professional Concrete Contractors, Security Hunter, Nevins and Associates Marketing and PR, Ethan Allen, BMW Mini of Towson #1, BMW Mini of Towson #2, Quest Advanced Learning, BMW Mini of Towson #3, Rubeling & Associates, Ethan Allen of Towson, M&N Concrete, Pizza John’s, Fidelity First, Bank of Annapolis, Sidus Group, Ethan Allen Annapolis, MSO Polar Bear Plunge Committee, Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites – Annapolis, Natural Lawn of America, Aerotek, Gantech, AVIS, Glory Days, Comfort Inn BWI, Sleep Inn and Suites BWI, Advanced Concepts, Inc., Comfort Inn and Suites – BWI, Rest Area, The Traffic Group, Inc., Holiday Inn North – Columbia, La Quinta Inn and Suites – Columbia          
          
          
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