Adopt-a-Road History

Adopt-a-Road Program

The first Adopt-a-Highway/Road program appeared in (Tyler) Texas in 1985. Today, forty-nine of the 50 states in the U.S. have a program similar to “Adopt a Highway”. In fact, one can find adopt-a-road programs in many places around the world.
Besides the U.S., strong participation occurs in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Nascent participation is occurring in South Africa, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Great Britain.

Our adopt-a-road program in Santa Fe County began in 1992. Early volunteers, as today, included young adult organizations, businesses, church groups, families, and individuals. In 1992, nine groups adopted approximately 10 miles of county roadway. In 1996, the adopted miles rose to a high of 170 miles of roadway of the 580 total miles maintained by the county. Today, we have 54 groups that are active in the program. These 54 groups are custodian to 73.75 miles of county road.

During 2007, approximately 25.38 tons of litter was collected throughout the county by volunteer groups. (The County uses the conversion factor adopted by the organization Keep America Beautiful of 20 pounds of litter to a 40-gallon bag.)