MnDOT seeks Adopt a Highway volunteers

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking for individuals and organizations to join the more than 4,100 groups and 16,000 people in the state who are Adopt a Highway volunteers.

The program, which realized an estimated $6 million benefit in 2017, is a public service project that helps reduce litter along the roadsides. It’s been part of MnDOT’s maintenance operations since 1990.

“Volunteers pick up litter, keep the roadways beautiful and save taxpayers money,” said Ann McLellan, statewide Adopt a Highway manager. “When our volunteers are out cleaning the roadway ditches, MnDOT crews use their time to build and maintain our highways. It’s a win-win for all and it shows that Minnesotans care about their state.”

There are 5,455 segments of roadways defined for the program. Of those segments, 1,719 are available for adoption.

“Most of the available segments are in Greater Minnesota. In the Twin Cities area, there are nine segments available,” said McLellan.

The volunteers, representing schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, families and individuals, clean up nearly 10,000 miles of Minnesota roadways each year.

Last year volunteer groups, ranging from four to 25 people, spent an estimated 239,000 hours picking up 36,658 bags of litter. That’s more than 112,000 pounds of litter. 

Individuals and groups who want to volunteer should go to www.mndot.gov/adopt/ to find their local area program coordinator. MnDOT provides safety training, trash bags and safety vests, and picks up the filled bags that volunteers leave at the side of the road. MnDOT also posts signs along the adopted segments of roads with the names of the volunteer groups.

Volunteers are asked to commit to the program for at least two years and pick up litter on both sides of the roadway at least twice a year. The average length of an adopted roadway is two to three miles, although some roads are longer.

Free tax preparation sites now open across MN

ST. PAUL, Minn. - With income tax season recently opening, the Minnesota Department of Revenue announced the opening of more than 220 sites offering free tax assistance for those filing income tax and property tax refund returns. Most sites are open now through April 17.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide programs are two free tax preparation options where volunteers help taxpayers prepare their federal and state income and property tax returns.

All volunteers from both programs are certified by the Internal Revenue Service to prepare basic tax returns in communities throughout Minnesota.

In general, you can get help at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site if any of the following are true:

• You are age 60 or older
• You are a person with a disability
• You speak limited or no English
• Your annual income is less than $54,000

The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation for all taxpayers, particularly those who are age 50 or older. AARP Tax-Aide sites do not have income restrictions.

"These free tax preparations sites are available across the state and feature hundreds of certified volunteers who offer their time to ensure taxpayers are able to file accurately and on time,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “We encourage qualifying taxpayers to take advantage of these sites before the April 17 tax filing deadline.”

You can search for a site near you on the department’s website using an advanced search feature and an interactive map. The feature has search options by zip code or county, as well as sites with interpreters and volunteers certified to complete military returns. The interactive map has search options by city, county, or zip code.

Be sure to print off the list of items to bring with you when visiting a site.

You can also call 651-297-3724 or 1-800-657-3989 (toll-free) to search for a site by phone.

MPCA Seeking Volunteers for Water Monitoring

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking volunteers for its citizen water monitoring programs. Participants “adopt” one or more Minnesota lakes or streams and track how clear their water is. Knowing the clarity of water helps the agency understand the health of our water. Become a volunteer or learn more about the program on the website, or in the Twin Cities call 651-296-6300 or 1-800-657-3864 if calling from Greater Minnesota.

MnDOT looking for Adopt a Highway volunteers

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking for individuals and organizations to join the more than 4,500 groups and 45,000 people in the state who are Adopt a Highway volunteers.

The program is a public service project that helps reduce litter along the roadsides. It’s been part of MnDOT’s maintenance operations for many years.

“Some groups have participated since 1990,” said Vicki Kessler, Adopt a Highway program coordinator for the Twin Cities Metro Area, which has about 500 sections of roadway maintained by volunteers.

Kessler currently has a waiting list for groups wanting to adopt a highway, but there are plenty of roadways available outside the Twin Cities area.

The volunteers, representing schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, families and individuals, clean up more than 10,000 miles of Minnesota roadways each year.

Groups last year spent more than 180,000 hours picking up more than 960,000 pounds of litter, according to Ernest Lloyd, statewide Adopt a Highway manager. He added that the program saves MnDOT more than $7 million annually.

“Volunteers pick up litter, keep the roadways beautiful and save taxpayers money,” said Lloyd. “When our volunteers are out cleaning the roadway ditches, MnDOT employees use their time to maintain our highways. It’s a win-win for the state and it shows that Minnesotans care about their state.”

Individuals and groups who want to volunteer should go to www.mndot.gov/adopt/ to find their local area program coordinator. MnDOT provides safety training, trash bags and safety vests, and will pick up the filled bags. MnDOT also posts signs along the adopted segments of roads with the names of the volunteer groups.

Volunteers are asked to commit to the program for at least two years and pick up litter on both sides of the roadway at least twice a year. The average length of an adopted roadway is two to three miles, although some roads are longer.

Volunteers Invited to Serve on National Public Lands Day in Park Rapids

Park Rapids, MN (9/24/2016) - The University of Minnesota-Extension Master Naturalist Program, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, invites Park Rapids-area residents to participate in National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on September 24th, 2016 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, volunteers will participate in the largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Since 2012, the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program has facilitated this effort at sites across the state. More than 600 volunteers have removed invasive species, planted pollinator gardens, and protected newly-planted trees, among other projects, for over 3,000 service hours to date. This year, the MN Master Naturalist Program encourages residents to join this growing tradition of stewardship through service at one of 14 locations in Minnesota.

Volunteer registration closes August 26th, 2016. To register, go to: http://www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org/courses/ to find the National Public Lands Day sites facilitated by the Minnesota Master Naturalist program. During registration, registrants will be asked for a t-shirt size and dietary needs as each volunteer will receive a free NPLD t-shirt and an on-site lunch. Youth are welcome to attend at most sites, but volunteers will be responsible for supervision.  Please let the program know if you are planning to bring youth..

Volunteers at Itasca State Park will place paper “bud caps” on white, red, and jack pines. All supplies will be provided at the park. They are advised to wear long pants, long shirt sleeves, sturdy footwear, and to bring personal snacks, water bottle, and gloves.

Itasca State Park is located at 36750 Main Park Drive Park Rapids, MN 56470.