About four years ago, Boy Scout Troop 5 adopted Miles 89.5 to 87.5 of the Seward Highway, and we just finished our fall cleanup this past Saturday. In that time we have gone from four pickup loads of trash removed to only one (piled high) this past Saturday. The project allows us to instill in scouts the importance of community service as well as understanding in a very real way the importance of taking care of the environment.

Thanks to Alaska DOT for giving us this opportunity to do this community service safely by providing "shoulder work" signs, orange vests, and bags. Thanks also to all the scouts and parents who have worked on this project over time and St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran church for sponsoring and supporting our troop.

Finally, thanks to those being mindful not to litter one of America's Scenic Byways. The next time readers travel the two miles south of Girdwood, notice how good it looks!

-- Robert Lane

Scoutmaster Troop 5

Anchorage