Adopt-A-Highway crews have been popping up along state highways over the past few weeks as they make their first of at least three passes through their two-mile-long highway segments.

The Adopt-A-Highway program allows groups to volunteer and support the state's anti-litter program in a direct and visible way.

"There are nearly 12,000 miles of state highways in Wisconsin and it's an enormous job to keep roadsides clear of debris and litter," Bureau of Highway Operations Director David Vieth said. "With the support of our Adopt-A-Highway crews, we've been able to keep the state's roadsides looking clean and green."

Last year, Wisconsin's 2,951 Adopt-A-Highway groups reported collecting 25,314 bags of litter and 2,726 bags of recyclables from along state highways.

Adopt-A-Highway crews are assigned a two-mile stretch of highway and are asked to commit to cleaning it at least three times a year.

A group organized for any purpose or task can be a sponsor, except partisan political groups.

Each group must provide one adult supervisor for every five or six workers.

All workers must be at least 11 years of age or in the 6th grade to adopt a state or US highway or at least 16 years of age if adopting freeway or interstate highway segments.

No other persons should be on the work site.

If desired, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will install a sign announcing the group's litter control sponsorship.

The department will provide a training video on working near highways as well as safety vests, trash bags, trash bag pick up, and disposal.

With about three-quarters of the state's highways adopted, there are still segments available for adoption.

The state Adopt-A-Highway program only applies to state highways.

Many counties have Adopt-A-Highway programs for local roads.

Contact your county highway commissioner's office to see if your county has an Adopt-A-Highway program.