Trochu, AB — May 6, 2025
On Saturday, May 3, 2025, a dedicated group of Trochu Arboretum volunteers laced up their boots, donned safety vests and gloves, and hit the ditches for a cause that reflects our ongoing commitment to community and the environment. Participating in the annual Alberta Highway Cleanup Fundraiser, these local nature stewards brought their energy and enthusiasm to the stretch of highway east of Three Hills, joining thousands of other volunteers across the province for this impactful initiative.
Organized each spring by the Government of Alberta, the Highway Cleanup Program offers registered non-profit groups an opportunity to raise funds by cleaning up litter along provincial highways. For the Trochu and District Arboretum Society, it was a natural fit.
“We take pride in keeping our town and its surroundings beautiful,” said this year’s organizer. “Participating in the cleanup not only supports our fundraising efforts but also aligns perfectly with our mission to care for the land.”
Armed with gloves, garbage bags, and plenty of spirit, the team scoured ditches and shoulders of their designated section of roadway, collecting everything from discarded drink containers to long-forgotten roadside debris. Their efforts helped restore the landscape while raising funds that will go directly toward ongoing projects at the Trochu Arboretum — including garden maintenance, tree planting, and educational programming.
It was also a chance for volunteers of all ages to reconnect with nature, each other, and the wider community of Albertans who care about the environment. It was amazing to see so many people come together with one goal: to give back to the land that gives us so much.
As the dust settled and the bags piled up, the sense of pride was undeniable. The Trochu Arboretum team left the highway cleaner and their spirits higher — proof that even a few hours of collective effort can make a visible and lasting impact.
Leave a Reply