Adopt-a-Highway: Talkin' Trash Newsletter

Summer 2016

2016 Adopt-a-Highway Awards 

The Adopt-a-Highway Awards recognizes the program’s hardworking and dedicated volunteers and employees who have gone the extra mile. Each year the efforts of a volunteer group, an individual volunteer and a maintenance employee are honored at the Keep Texas Beautiful Conference Awards Luncheon. 

Volunteer Group: Texas Tech American Chemical Society Student Affiliate

Left to right: Martin Garza - Lubbock District, Carol Craddick - Lubbock District Coordinator, Bernardo Galvan -TTU American Chemical Society Student Affiliate, David Barrera - Lubbock District

Left to right: Martin Garza - Lubbock District, Carol Craddick - Lubbock District Coordinator, Bernardo Galvan -TTU American Chemical Society Student Affiliate, David Barrera - Lubbock District

The Texas Tech American Chemical Society Student Affiliate was recognized for the group's commitment to the Texas Tech and Lubbock community. For the past seven years, the group has been a role model in their pickup performance and their commitment to keeping Texas clean and sustainable. 

Individual Volunteer: Milburn Chaney

Milburn Chaney of Athens, TX, Left: Catherine Cromer - Statewide Coordinator

Right: Milburn Chaney of Athens, TX, Left: Catherine Cromer - Statewide Coordinator

Mr.Chaney was honored for his weekly pickup efforts totaling over 200 hours and his active role in raising public awareness on litter prevention and beautification in the Athens community. 

Maintenance Employee: Carol Craddick - Lubbock District Coordinator 

Left: Carol Craddick, Right: David Barrera

Left: Carol Craddick, Right: David Barrera

Carol Craddick was recognized for her role as the Adopt-a-Highway Lubbock District Coordinator for the past eight years. In addition to managing over 110 volunteer groups, Carol takes the extra step to educate and form long-lasting relationships with volunteers.  

Governor's Community Achievement Awards 

Ten Texas communities were awarded for their outstanding grassroots environmental programs at the Governor's Community Achievement Awards. In partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, the Texas Department of Transportation distributed $2 million in funding based on population size to be used for landscaping projects along local rights-of-way.

2016 First Place Winners

Somerville

Van Alstyne

Cuero

Boerne

Angleton

Lufkin

North Richland Hills

Allen

McKinney

Plano

For the complete list of winners and more information, visit Keep Texas Beautiful

 

Don't mess with Texas® Trash and Treasure Hunt

Participants at a Trash and Treasure Hunt event

Join Don't mess with Texas® as it celebrates its 30th anniversary by helping clean up our great state! The campaign is hosting Trash and Treasure Hunts throughout the state and wants you to join for fun, games and a trash pickup. Participants who help pick up trash in their communities will have the chance to win great prizes like a YETI Hopper 20 Cooler and tickets to sporting events, museums and attractions throughout the state. Check out www.dontmesswithtexas.org to find an event near you!

 

Beat the Heat

Any resident of the Lone Star State knows summer in Texas means high temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Remember your sunscreen and that water must be available for volunteers at all times to prevent dehydration. Volunteers should take a break every 45 minutes to an hour to hydrate and rest. Performing pickups in the mornings can help you avoid the highest temperatures.

 

Don't mess with Texas Contest Winners

2017 Don't mess with Texas Art Contest Calendar Cover

The winners for the 2016 Don’t mess with Texas youth education programs are here! This year young Texans from kindergarten through high school were rewarded for their creativity and dedication to the litter prevention message. Check out winners for the following contests: 

Don't mess with Texas Elementary School Art Contest

Don't mess with Texas Can Slogan Contest

Don't mess with Texas Scholarship

 

 

AAH Team Spotlight: Terri Monroe

Terri joined the program as the Tyler District Coordinator this past March. As an East Texas native, Terri takes the beautification and cleanliness of East Texas' lush green landscape seriously. She enjoys attending local cleanups, including the Lake Area Cleanup in Athens. In her free time, Terri enjoys spending time with family, golfing, gardening, antiquing and craft making.

 

Thank you, Adopt-a-Highway volunteers!

Employees of Coca Cola

Employees of Coca Cola - Pharr District

  Jones Valley Volunteer Group

Jones Valley - Tyler District

Frontier Camp Staff

Frontier Camp Staff - Lufkin

  Keep Moultaon Beautiful Volunteer Group

Keep Moulton Beautiful - Yoakum District

 


The original Adopt-a-Highway program began in Texas in 1985. Since then, it’s grown into a nationally and internationally recognized litter-prevention effort, saving taxpayers’ dollars and keeping our rights of way clean.

Adopt-a-Highway currently has more than 3,800 participating groups across the state, and we salute those thousands of individuals who dedicate their time to actively make a difference and keep Texas beautiful.



  
Wildflowers