OKOBOJI, Iowa — The Adopt-a-Roadside program is currently being coordinated through Dickinson County Conservation.
Cameron Arnold, Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management (IRVM) technician, is working to increase knowledge and participation in the Adopt-a-Roadside program.
“The Great Lakes area is very important for tourism and helping clean up our roadsides will help people recognize the beauty of the lakes,” Arnold said.
IRVM Manager Doug Todey is still the head of the program, but Arnold wants to help further the goal of increasing public awareness of the environmental and maintenance needs along roadways. Arnold is helping to coordinate groups of people who will adopt one mile of roadway, including both ditches, to clean up twice per year for two years.
Those enrolled in the Adopt-a-Roadside program will be supplied gloves, vests, roads signs and bags as well as a safety briefing for a deposit. After cleaning up the ditches, bags of garbage will be left at the site to be picked up.
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“All the trash bags will be picked up by us,” Arnold said.
There is no minimum or maximum for the number of people needed per group, and all ages are welcome to participate. However, those younger than 16 must have at least one adult supervising per four youths.
Groups can sign up at any time by emailing Arnold at carnold@dickinsoncountyiowa.gov or Todey at dtodey@dickinsoncountyiowa.gov . For more information on the Adopt-a-Roadside program or Dickinson County Conservation’s IRVM program, visit www.dickinsoncountyconservationboard.com or call (712) 336-6352.
