Untitled Document

One clean mile deserves another ... and another

Give people an inch and they'll take a mile. Give them two miles and they’ll grab four miles … or six … or more.

Gretchen Sherlin and her partner and husband Mike Harkins wanted to help preserve the scenic beauty of central Idaho so they volunteered for ITD’s Adopt-A-Highway program. They adopted a two-mile segment of Idaho 21 near Lucky Peak Reservoir in March 2003 and made regular litter cleanup outings.

Three years later they asked to trade that segment for one farther north, between mileposts 94 and 97.

They enjoyed the scenery so much, according to District 3 volunteer coordinator Althea Fackrell, they asked for more. They applied to expand their cleanup area to six miles, between mileposts 94 and 100.

But Gretchen still wasn’t content. She wanted more. She wanted to go the extra mile – literally.

Being the unofficial ambassador for the Idaho state Adopt-a-Highway program on Idaho 21, Gretchen takes every opportunity to promote volunteerism in the program. In February 2011 she spearheaded the formation of a group of highway cleaners from the Lowman Ambulance volunteers. Now they clean mileposts 90-91. She still had some lobbying to do so she spoke with another partner, Trish, and they adopted the section between mileposts 73-75.

When asked what the motivation was, Gretchen said they were out there anyway and it was just a couple more miles, Fackrell explained. The roadside guardian said she loves Idaho 21 and its natural beauty. She has issued a challenge to other residents in the general area to volunteer.

“We received calls from residents in Lowman asking us to recognize Gretchen for her dedication. Every caller had nothing but praise for her ability to get out and help the community,” Fackrell explained during last week’s Idaho Transportation Board meeting where the volunteer efforts were recognized.

During one of her groups’ campaigns last year, volunteers discovered an old dumpsite that had escaped detection for 40 years or more. Rusting cans, an old hot water heater, stove and tires littered the site.

Instead of dismissing it as something unfixable, Gretchen again used her lobbying skills and organized a weekend cleanup of the unsightly junk. Her reasons – the wildlife may be endangered.

During the Group of the Year presentation at the board meeting, Trish revealed that Gretchen goes out with her group, “Great Old Broads for Wilderness” to help them clean. They gave the audience a good laugh when they recalled receiving a call from an “official” who suggested their group name was a bit controversial and should be changed. They responded by asking what was controversial about “great old broads cleaning the highway?”

They also said they formed a temporary group that went on the Banks-Lowman highway to give it a good cleaning before the Exergy Bike Tour so Idaho would leave a good impression on cyclists from around the world. They had to do some extra coordinating for that one but they made it happen.

ITD’s statewide Adopt-A-Highway program organizes the cleaning of Idaho roadsides by volunteer groups. Those groups “adopt” a specific stretch of highway – usually two miles or longer – and take responsibility for keeping it clean through regular litter patrols.

Approximately 1,100 Adopt-A-Highway groups (excluding Ada County inmate labor groups) conducted regular cleanups in 2011, logging a total of nearly 60,460 person-hours. Their efforts saved ITD an estimated $785,880.
Through their volunteer activity, ITD is able to commit more resources to highway projects that improve travel conditions and safety.

The volunteer program supports ITD’s strategic plan by helping the department to operate more efficiently, improve safety, and create an environment that is conducive to commerce and economic development.

More than half of Idaho’s highways have been adopted, leaving ample opportunities for other groups and individuals to become involved.

Adopt-A-Highway groups and non-affiliated volunteers make a tremendous difference in the appearance of Idaho’s highways, said Sherie Sweaney, statewide Volunteer Services Coordinator.

“It really is gratifying that so many people are committed to keeping our highways clean and attractive,” she said. “It also helps us get the most out of our available highway maintenance funds.”

For more information about adopting a stretch of highway or participating in volunteer services, contact Sweaney at (800) 443-2878.