Starting Saturday and extending through Sept. 29, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers will take to the roadsides again for the third and final scheduled litter collection of 2024.

Adopt-A-Highway is a Michigan Department of Transportation program designed to help keep the state’s highway roadsides clean and attractive. Participants adopt both sides of a section of state highway roadside to tend for at least a two-year period. A minimum 2-mile stretch of roadway is recommended.

For the safety of all, motorists should watch for these volunteers, who wear high-visibility, yellow-green vests required by federal regulations while working in a highway right of way. The MDOT provides the vests and trash bags for free, and arranges to haul away the trash afterwards.

Every year, Adopt-A-Highway volunteers regularly collect more than 60,000 bags of trash. The popular program began in Michigan in 1990 and has grown to involve more than 2,900 groups cleaning more than 6,000 miles of highway, according to an MDOT news release.

Getting involved in the program is straightforward. Volunteers include members of civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members have to be at least 12 years old and each group must include at least three people. There is no fee to participate. Adopt-A-Highway signs bearing group names are posted along the stretches of adopted highway, the MDOT advised.

Sections of highway are available for adoption all over the state. Interested groups can get more information on joining the program at www.Michigan.gov/AdoptAHighway.

The program had a spring pickup in the Upper Peninsula May 18-26 and another round July 13-21.

So drivers, be aware of these volunteers and give them a wide berth — they’re doing good work along Michigan’s roadways.

And thanks to the volunteers who dedicate the time and effort.