BUFFALO LAKE - One of the many groups that took part in the recent Highway Clean Up weekend across the region is from the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement.
With two busy highways — 663 and 855 — running through the community, the clean up not only picks up the garbage left by some of the less thoughtful travellers, but also makes the area look attractive for the rest of the passers-by.
"It is always a pleasure getting the community together to help make a difference."
— Buffalo Lake highway cleanup organizer Kevin Ladouceur
"Highway clean up is a chance to do our part in keeping our highways looking as they should," said Buffalo Lake's cleanup crew organizer Kevin Ladouceur.
More than a dozen Buffalo Lake residents took part in the weekend project.
"It is always a pleasure getting the community together to help make a difference," said Ladouceur, thanking the volunteers for their efforts.
The annual highway clean up takes place in the first two weeks of May and attracts local groups, individuals and organizations.
The Buffalo Lake crew joined groups from local 4H groups, churches and youth associations, scouring the ditches and fence-lines along the pavement for garbage and recycling. Bright orange bags filled with the findings were left along the highways by the groups to be picked up by Alberta Transportation crews.
Fundraising activity
Across the province, Alberta Transportation pays not-for-profit organizations that register for the annual cleanup $100 for every kilometre of highway cleaned. A minimum of two people are required to clear each kilometre.
Other ways the public can help to keep ditches alongside area highways clean is through the Adopt-A-Highway program. Details on highway cleanup programs can be found at the Alberta Transportation website.
