School of Education Adopt-a-Highway cleanup

Posted By: Betty Kube On: 2021-10-25
Posted On: 2021-10-25

School of Education volunteers clean up Winona-area highway

The natural splendor of Winona County is a bit more secure today thanks to the efforts of volunteers from the Saint Mary’s University School of Education.

On Oct. 19, School of Education staff and faculty superstars Betty Kube, Tracy Lysne, Katie Hubbard, Cindy Kronebusch, and David Jackson joined Michael Lovorn in fulfilling the school’s commitment to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Adopt-a-Highway program.

Launched in 1990, MN Adopt-a-Highway is a resident-based environmental conservation and beautification initiative inviting community groups, churches, businesses, families, and individuals to “adopt” state highways by committing to pick up litter along designated routes at least twice each year (dot.state.mn.us/adopt). MnDOT erects a sign to mark the adopted route and publicize the commitment of each group or individual sponsor.

Adopt-a-Highway is a great opportunity for Minnesota residents to engage in civic and public service by helping keep roadsides clean and naturally beautiful; and according to MnDOT, the program continues to be a terrific success. Since 2019 alone, more than 3,800 groups have pitched in to clean up Minnesota highways and byways, picking up over 40,000 bags of litter. In addition to demonstrating how much Minnesotans care about their environment, MnDOT reports that these citizen-initiated clean-up efforts save the state an estimated $7 million in annual tax dollars.

Earlier this year, the School of Education adopted a two-mile stretch of I-90 just south of the Winona Campus. Thanks to MnDOT, miles 244.8-246.8 are now bookended with signs that read “ADOPT A HIGHWAY, SAINT MARY’S UNIV SCH OF EDUCATION, SINCE 2021.”

Weather cooperated for the team’s inaugural half-day pick-up, and they were able to fill about 30 bags of litter during the effort. The bags were placed in piles along the roadside, to be collected by MnDOT personnel later in the week. About the volunteering experience, administrative assistant Betty Kube remarked, “It was such a great opportunity to do something as a team and clean up the environment at the same time.” M.Ed. program director Tracy Lysne added, “Spending time with my amazing colleagues and making the world a bit more beautiful … what a perfect day!”

Dean Lovorn wishes to express his sincere gratitude to all who participated in the clean-up effort. “It’s a feel-good thing to do, for sure, and a tangible example of the character and overall sense of community shared by School of Education faculty and staff.” Lovorn also notes a follow-up clean-up date will be scheduled sometime in spring 2022, likely in April. All are welcome to participate in this effort.

Photo caption: Selfie on the highway, from left to right, David Jackson, Betty Kube, Katie Hubbard, Tracy Lysne, Cindy Kronebusch, and Michael Lovorn.