Community groups pitch in to keep highways clean

By Brandie Majeau

On May 3rd, community members, organizations and not-for profits across

Alberta came together for an annual cleanup program and opportunity to fundraise for

themselves. The highway clean-up event is aimed at promoting environmental

stewardship and keeping local roadways clean. Volunteers gathered early in the

morning, donning brightly coloured vests and equipped with gloves, trash bags, and

plenty of enthusiasm.

Always held on the first or second Saturday of May, groups are given selections

of highway and get to work keeping Alberta clean. It is a wonderful opportunity for

groups to give back to their communities and does more than just clean up the litter

along side the roads. There is a sense of togetherness and community spirit, and they

work with each other fulfilling a sense of responsibility to their own communities and the

environment. Families, friends, and local organizations joined forces, working side by

side to beautify their surroundings and as drivers slow to pass those bright coloured

vests, it encourages personal reflection of their own littering habits.

As the day progressed, volunteers filled numerous bags with debris ranging from

bottles and cans to unimaginable items and areas so over-run with waste that other

groups were needed to assist to get them finished. The unwavering commitment of

Albertans in their diligent efforts is truly something, it exemplifies a deep dedication to

improving the natural landscapes around their homes. This program as a collective not

only beautifies their surroundings but also guarantees a clean and safe environment for

everyone to enjoy.

The Alberta highway clean-up day was not just a chance to clear away trash, it is

a reminder of the impact pollution has on local ecosystems and individual surroundings.

A thank you goes out to all the groups who took time to participate, they have made a

tangible difference in their community, setting a positive example for others to follow in

future initiatives. The day ended, the last orange bag loaded into a truck, and beyond

the highways the grass grew green and inviting, pristine for all travelers as they looked

beyond their windshields.