Adopt-A-Road Program

Help Keep Clackamas County Clean and Beautiful

Join neighbors, local organizations, and businesses in keeping our roads litter-free. Through the Adopt-A-Road Program, you can make a visible difference in your community—and we’ll help every step of the way. 

Each year, volunteers collect around 60 tons of trash from county roads. Your efforts help protect our environment, improve neighborhood pride, and make Clackamas County a cleaner, safer place to live. 

How It Works 

When you adopt a section of county road, your group agrees to pick up litter along that stretch at least twice a year for two years. The county provides all the training, equipment, and support you need to stay safe and make an impact. 

What Volunteers Do 

• Apply to join. Submit an Adopt-A-Road application to get started. 
• Adopt your road. Choose a safe segment with help from our Program Coordinator. 
• Clean up twice a year. Schedule cleanup dates during daylight hours and let us know at least one week in advance. 
• Stay safe. Work only along the shoulder or right-of-way—never in traffic lanes or medians unless specifically approved. 
• Bag and leave litter. Fill trash bags and place them along the roadside or in a safe ditch for county pickup. 
• Use safety gear. Wear the provided high-visibility vests and set up temporary warning signs before each cleanup. 
• Review safety procedures. Go over safety guidelines with your team before every cleanup. 
• Sign waivers. Each participant must sign a liability release before joining a cleanup. 
• Youth participation. 
• Volunteers must be at least 12 years old. 
• Ages 12–18 require a signed guardian waiver and adult supervision. 
• Borrow supplies. You can borrow safety vests, trash bags, grabbers, and signs from the county. Please return them within one week. 
• Report hazards. Leave behind anything that looks unsafe or too heavy—like needles or large debris—and notify the county for proper removal. 

What the County Provides 

We’re here to make your cleanup easy, safe, and successful. The Department of Transportation and Development will: 

• Help you find a safe section of road to adopt. 
• Provide OSHA-approved safety gear, including vests, signs, and trash bags. 
• Offer safety training materials and review procedures with your volunteer lead. 
• Pick up filled trash bags and dispose of them after your cleanup. 
• Handle hazardous items that volunteers shouldn’t touch. 
• Recognize your efforts with a personalized roadside sign for groups that maintain at least one mile of road twice a year for two years. 

Volunteer Requirements 

To keep everyone safe and organized, Adopt-A-Road volunteers agree to: 

• Commit to a two-year adoption of a county road. 
• Complete at least two cleanups per year. 
• Set up temporary traffic warning signs during each cleanup. 
• Gather and return all borrowed equipment within one week. 
• Ensure all volunteers are at least 12 years old, with proper supervision and signed waivers. 

Get Recognized 

We love celebrating our volunteers! Groups or individuals who clean at least one mile of road twice a year will have a custom roadside sign installed in recognition of their contribution to the community.