HARRISBURG PA – Pennsylvania is gearing up for its 2026 tourism season, as well as the nation’s 250th birthday observance. Ahead of their arrival, state agencies are enlisting volunteers to ensure an anticipated 209 million travelers see the Commonwealth as green, clean, and pristine.
The state Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Protection, and Keep America Beautiful are teaming up with other sponsors in promoting public and private efforts to eliminate litter. Their representatives appeared Thursday (March 5, 2026) in western Pennsylvania to encourage corps of volunteers to help “Pick Up PA.”
In 2025, 81,500 volunteers participated in Pick Up PA programs. More than 4 million pounds of litter and trash were picked up, and 6.1 million pounds recycled. Also, nearly 63,000 trees, flowers and other greens were planted.
Making A Suitable Impression
The agencies hope a similar effort throughout 2026 will make a suitable impression on Pennsylvania’s guests. Visitors will arrive over several months to enjoy events supporting the NFL Draft, the PGA Championship, FIFA World Cup, MLB All-Star Series, and America250PA.
Agency leaders describe Pick Up PA as an annual series of activities to clean up every community’s forests, fields, waterways, highways, parks, and neighborhoods. The campaign not only makes the state look inviting, they say, but it also protects natural resources.
The state has created a portion of its website to guide volunteers in safely and successfully sprucing up the landscape. It covers a variety of programs that involve volunteer highway litter crews, highway sponsorship, and adopting and beautifying roadside spaces. Find its information online.
Photos provided by the state’s Commonwealth Media Services
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