Laurel Hill Park volunteers clear invasive vines from a fence obscuring the historic turkey barn: Shawn Elklund, Justin Barnes, Joshua Miller, Livia Davidson, Grace Ametin, Caleb Elkund; also Nico Valckx (not pictured). Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection
Several volunteer groups undertook clean-up efforts around the county on Nov. 14, including the Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team’s (PVT) vine removal at the Central Green under the Park Authority, and the Springfield District Democrats’ (SDDC) road cleanup under the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway Program.
The Park Authority offers opportunities for volunteers across Fairfax County to form PVTs and develop and act on park programs and maintenance associated with specific parks. Teams offer volunteer service events for residents who love their parks. Each PVT is listed on the County’s online volunteer management system where volunteers can sign up, join the team or participate in an event. Learn more at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/volunteer.
The Adopt-a-Highway program offers an opportunity for civic groups, businesses, neighborhoods, and families to clean up litter on designated roadways.
Each year, more than 23,000 Adopt-a-Highway volunteers collect more than 44,000 bags of waste along Virginia’s highways.
Volunteer groups agree to pick up litter at least two times a year for three years over a two-mile stretch of highway. In return, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides trash bags, vests, important safety information, and highway signs that recognize your group. Learn more at http://www.virginiadot.org/programs/prog-aah-default.asp.