Alabama PALS working towards cleaner campuses, cleaner roads, cleaner shores – a cleaner state

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Flowers Elementary Alabama PALS working towards cleaner campuses, cleaner roads, cleaner shores – a cleaner state
Students at Flowers Elementary in Montgomery. Photo courtesy of Alabama PALS

No one likes seeing litter on the side of the road. Alabama People Against a Littered State (Alabama PALS) is teaching kiddos about the negative effects of litter in Birmingham and beyond through educational programs. Learn more about how to get your child involved, and check out ways you can help.

Clean Campus

George Washington Carver Alabama PALS working towards cleaner campuses, cleaner roads, cleaner shores – a cleaner state
Students at George Washington Carver Elementary School in Tuskegee. Photo courtesy of Alabama PALS

The goal of Alabama PALS’ Clean Campus program is to promote environmental awareness through litter control, campus cleanups and recycling. We only have one Earth, and it’s important to take care of it! Through the Clean Campus Program, schools are provided with essential materials to promote environmental stewardship and campus beautification. The program is FREE for all Alabama schools.  

Interested in participating? Alabama PALS can help your child’s school get started. Jamie Mitchell, Clean Campus Coordinator, recommends schools identify a point person to manage the program–a teacher, librarian or administrator. Mitchell travels to schools across the state and teaches kids how litter negatively affects our planet and ways to protect the environment.

“Becoming a member of Clean Campus equips the school to teach litter education and include environmental activities in school lessons,” she said. “The program can be as simple or involved as the schools would like–it’s their program.”

Click here for the Clean Campus signup page.  

“Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup

04.05.19 volunteers Alabama PALS working towards cleaner campuses, cleaner roads, cleaner shores – a cleaner state
Picking up litter with Alabama PALS. Photo courtesy of Alabama PALS

Another focus of Alabama PALS is the “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup, which takes place every April across Alabama.  During this week, about 500 tons–TONS!–of trash are picked up throughout the state. In 2020, the Spring Cleanup will run for the entire month of April. Anyone can get involved. Contact your county commission to identify a cleanup site or start one of your own. You can also visit Alabama PALS’ website for more info. 

Adopt-a-Mile and Adopt-a-Stream Programs

IMG 2471 Alabama PALS working towards cleaner campuses, cleaner roads, cleaner shores – a cleaner state
Alabama PALS volunteers. Photo courtesy of Alabama PALS

Have you ever wondered who is behind those “Adopt-A-Mile” and “Adopt-A-Stream” signs across the state? It’s Alabama PALS!  These free programs are a partnership between Alabama PALS and the Alabama Department of Transportation.  Groups that want to get involved–and have their very own signs on Alabama highways and streams–can visit this link to adopt a state, federal or county road or stream. The programs are two-year commitments where groups clean their adopted road or stream four times per year. 

Alabama Coastal Cleanup

Alabama Coastal Cleanup Alabama PALS working towards cleaner campuses, cleaner roads, cleaner shores – a cleaner state
Photo via the Alabama Coastal Cleanup on Facebook

The next big event for Alabama PALS is the Alabama Coastal Cleanup. The event is in partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and it’s happening September 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. along Alabama’s coastline.  Even though we’re landlocked here in Bham, people from all over the state participate. Last year, approximately 5,800 volunteers picked up 50,000 pounds of trash.  Visit alabamacoastalcleanup.com for more info. 

“PALS is so unique. It brings together environmentalists, communities, state agencies, cities, counties and volunteer groups to accomplish a common goal. It’s fun to watch generations of Alabamians working to protect and preserve our home.”

Spencer Ryan, Executive Director of Alabama PALS 

This article is brought to you by Vulcan Materials Company, a proud partner of Alabama PALS.  Vulcan Materials Company believes that environmental stewardship is key to building strong communities.

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