Registration is open for the 2024 Run for the Trees: Happy Little 5K, a virtual event the Michigan Department of Natural Resources launched in 2020 with Bob Ross, Inc. and that is now taking root in more than a half-dozen other states across the country.

The Happy Little 5K, now in its fifth year, continues to expand its reach – several other state departments of natural resources and state park foundations have connected with the Michigan DNR to replicate the virtual run/walk event for their residents and visitors. The result of this collaboration: Michigan, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin all are helping raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in state parks.

“This virtual race is a perfect trifecta: people being active and spending time outdoors, celebrating their love of trees and honoring legendary artist and outdoor enthusiast Bob Ross,” said Michelle O’Kelly, fund developer and Happy Little Trees race director for the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. “We are incredibly proud to be helping expand the impact across the United States.”

Participation is open to everyone, and registrants can complete their 5K anywhere outdoors – on foot, or by bike, skate or paddle or using a mobility device – anytime between Earth Day and Arbor Day, April 22-26. For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a Bob Ross-inspired finisher’s medal. All race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks.

Taking root

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with the Michigan DNR partnering with Bob Ross, Inc. and hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. This partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees: Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, so did the DNR’s desire to expand tree planting and stewardship efforts to other states. Since its inception, the Michigan DNR’s virtual 5K has drawn participants from all 50 states and several countries, including Australia, England and Mexico.

Over the past four years, the event has included more than 62,000 participants raising more than $1.1 million in net proceeds. Michigan has been able to help generate a stable funding source that will be used toward invasive plant and forest pest management and early detection surveys in Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Many of these locations have been affected by tree pests and diseases like emerald ash borer and oak wilt.

Our commitment to trees

In conjunction with the Happy Little 5K’s goal of improving forest health within state parks, the Michigan DNR is a cooperative partner in achieving a global goal of restoring and growing 1 trillion trees by 2030 through the Trillion Trees campaign.

To further this effort, the DNR has pledged to plant 50 million trees by 2030 and aims to inspire people to plant trees. It’s about more than just tree planting – it’s a spark to raise awareness about the many benefits of trees, reflect on Michigan’s rich forest history and build capacity to grow forests and communities together. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MiTrees and place your planted trees on our community map!

Growing a legacy event

For Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross, Inc., witnessing the growth of the Happy Little 5K is gratifying – a true testament to what Bob Ross stood for.

“The official Bob Ross 5K is just my favorite thing – there’s something about it that is so perfect,” Kowalski said. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear: nature, taking care of the environment and happy trees, too, of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Learn more about the program and register for the race at Michigan.gov/DNRHappyLittleTrees. Visit http://www.runsignup.com/happylittletrees to sign up for the race directly.

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