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District 1 Adopt-A-Highway Program

For more than 30 years, the Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program has been a successful public partnership with more than 176,000 Californians participating to clean and enhance state highways. See below the video for information about how you can become a part of the program in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino counties.

Businesses, civic groups, and individuals are invited to adopt stretches of roadway, on/off-ramps, or Park and Ride lots for litter cleanup, vegetation control, shrub and wildflower plantings, or graffiti removal.

The AAH Program is a voluntary program administered solely by Caltrans and is free for volunteers. Groups have the option to participate as volunteers or to hire a maintenance service provider to perform the work on their behalf.  

Typically, permits are issued for five-year periods, but one-day special event adoptions may also be available. 

Additional information can be found at the following links:

View the Caltrans District 1 GIS Map of Locations for Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, and Mendocino counties.

Safety is of utmost importance at all times, for our adopters, contractors and the traveling public. Below are resources for safety information related to cleaning alongside highways and state routes. 

Groups that hire contractors are called “sponsors”. AAH service contractors are independent, private companies who work for the sponsors (they do not work for Caltrans) and charge fees for their services. For additional information, view Working with Contractors(PDF).

In honor of the volunteer efforts, standard recognition panels (signs) are provided at no charge. The Adopt-A-Highway Program is not a forum for advertising or public discourse. 

Visit the Caltrans Ordering Signs page for more information about Recognition Panels for your adopted miles. 

District 1 Program Coordinator

Caltrans district 1 logo stacked atop the adopt a highway logo

 

 Brenda Rose
 
    Phone: (707) 572-7266
   

Important Dates & Events

Special Events

Adopt-A-Highway cleanups during the month of September will count toward Caltrans commitment to Coastal Cleanup! 

We encourage you to join thousands of other Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) volunteers by scheduling a special cleanup in your adopted section anytime during the month of September to celebrate California Coastal Cleanup Day. 

Participation is easy, just follow these steps:

  • Notify your AAH field representative of your plans to participate at least five days in advance. The field representative’s name and phone number are located on your AAH Encroachment Permit under “Advanced Notification of Work”.
  • Review the “Participants Safety Requirements: Crew Plans” handout with your group members before your litter cleanup event, located on the Adopt-A-Highway Informational Handouts Page. 

  • Clean your adopted highway section anytime during the months of September.

  • Submit a Summary Report online through the 2025 Adopt-A-Highway California Coastal Cleanup form, scan the QR code below, or email your local coordinator for a Word document version of the form. 

    Image is the QR code for the 2025 Adopt-A-Highway Coastal Cleanup form to submit results from September litter removal. The QR code is on a dark blue, ocean background with fish, rocks and kelp.

If you have any questions regarding the California Coastal Cleanup Day, please contact your local AAH Coordinator at 1-866-ADOPTAHWY (1-866-236-7824).

September 20, 2025 is Coastal Cleanup Day!  To support local cleanup efforts, check the California Coastal Commission website to find an event near you. 

2025 No Work Days

Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway groups are prohibited from working on designated holidays, as well as the 24 hours leading up to those dates. The following holidays are in effect for 2025:

Jan. 17-20
Feb. 14-17
Mar. 28-31
Apr. 18-20
May 23-26
June 18-19
July 3-6
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1
Nov. 10-11; 26-30
Dec. 24-25