As the weather breaks, a winter’s worth of litter will emerge along the county’s roads.

A faithful band of volunteers as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program will do their best to clean it up.

At the outset of that work and in connection with Earth Day, PennDOT has offered special recognition for those who have participated in the program since the beginning.

District 1, of which Warren County is a part, has 127 groups and individuals who have volunteered at least 25 years.

Six of those groups from Warren County have been involved since the program was formed 31 years ago — Boy Scout Troop 13, Cindy Conquer, Mrs. Norman Dale English, Sheffield Lions Club, Suzann L. Yovich and the “Brown Hill Bunch.”

“We are so grateful to have so many dedicated volunteers help us through the years, especially those who return year after year,” Brian McNulty, the District 1 executive, said. “The cost of litter is more than just the eye sore that it creates. It is also the time spent removing it from the roadsides, transporting it to the disposal sites, and paying to have it properly discarded. Our AAH volunteers help us control some of those costs while improving the beauty of our roadsides.”

Nearly 1,100 miles of road have been adopted as part of the program. However, there are 3,000 miles of unadopted road in the region.

PennDOT said 12 new groups or individuals have signed up in this corner of the state.

“The clean-up season starts in March, but additional volunteers can sign up anytime throughout the year,” said District 1 AAH coordinator Cheryl Wimer. “If you want to get involved, but don’t have a particular roadway or area in mind, our county coordinators can help you identify a spot that is correct for you.”

The program is open to individuals or groups of any kind. PennDOT posts signs along the route giving volunteers some recognition for their work. The agency also provides gloves, trash bags and safety vests in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection and Pick Up Pennsylvania.

Volunteers are asked to collect littler on a two-mile stretch of road at least twice a year.

The effort runs through May 31 and additional information can be found at adoptahighway.penndot.gov.