Camas Resident Devotes Decades to Cleaning Up Highway Litter

Mark Silliman has been picking up trash along state Highway 14 for years through the Adopt-a-Highway program.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mark Silliman, a 74-year-old Camas resident, has been dedicating hours each month to picking up trash along a 600-foot stretch of state Highway 14 through the Washington State Department of Transportation's Adopt-a-Highway program. Silliman's commitment to environmental stewardship dates back over 50 years, when he would stop to collect discarded items on his way to church as a young newlywed in California.

Why it matters

Silliman's story highlights the importance of individual civic engagement and environmental responsibility, as well as the impact that dedicated volunteers can have on keeping local communities clean and well-maintained. His actions set an example for others to follow and contribute to the overall beautification and sustainability of the region.

The details

Every couple of weeks, Silliman returns to the same section of Highway 14 between 164th and 192nd avenues to collect 5 to 8 bags worth of construction debris, household waste, alcohol containers, and other litter. He loads the collected trash into his truck, ensuring the area is left cleaner than he found it.

  • Silliman started picking up trash from the side of Highway 14 in 2019.
  • Silliman 'adopted' the 600-foot stretch of highway through the Adopt-a-Highway program.

The players

Mark Silliman

A 74-year-old resident of Camas, Washington who has been dedicating hours each month to picking up trash along a 600-foot stretch of state Highway 14 through the Adopt-a-Highway program.

Washington State Department of Transportation

The state agency that oversees the Adopt-a-Highway program, which allows volunteers like Silliman to take responsibility for cleaning up designated sections of highways.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My dad taught me from an early age, from basically when I could take my first breath, that when you go into a place, you leave it looking better than you found it. It was like a religion to him.”

— Mark Silliman

“But I'm not just doing it because my dad said to do it. It just makes sense. It's common courtesy to care for the environment.”

— Mark Silliman

The takeaway

Silliman's decades-long commitment to environmental stewardship through the Adopt-a-Highway program serves as an inspiring example of how individual civic engagement can make a meaningful difference in local communities. His actions demonstrate the power of leading by example and the positive impact that can be achieved through consistent, small-scale efforts to keep public spaces clean and well-maintained.