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Happy Little Trees program

Green background with Happy Little Trees in white text and outline of a line of trees and Bob Ross with paintbrush

Happy Little Trees program

Happy Little Trees 5K T-shirt with trees, mountains and Bob Ross' drawing

2025 Happy Little Trees (Virtual) 5K registration open

No matter how you reach the finish line - walk, run or roll - you pick the pace and the place, anywhere outdoors! Everyone who participates gets a Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and finisher's medal. All you have to do is complete your 5K between April 19-27, 2025. It's no coincidence that Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 25) fall between these dates!

Registration is $36 and includes your keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative bib number and shipping.

All race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Michigan state parks.

Register now, find race info »

People around the world are familiar with the work and personality of Bob Ross, the American painter, art instructor and television host who in the ’80s and ’90s shared his love for painting and the environment with millions of viewers on the PBS show, “The Joy of Painting.” Ross was known for demonstrating seemingly simple brushstrokes that brought gorgeous landscapes – full of happy little trees – to life on the canvas.

The tree planting program

The tree planting program - where seeds are placed in the care of inmates in a Michigan Department of Corrections education program - began in 2004, but grew into the "Happy Little Trees" program in 2019, when the DNR and Bob Ross Inc. partnered on programming to help raise awareness of tree planting and forest protection efforts in state parks.

Collection of local native seeds is key to growing trees, shrubs, grasses and plant products for use in state parks within the same geographical region to provide the best opportunity to survive and to emulate local plant communities. Visitors to state parks where trees have been planted will see bright green "Happy Little Trees Ahead" signs to note the program's important contributions.

The program has produced more than 100,000 native plants, shrubs and trees since its start in 2004. With support from the Bob Ross partnership, more than 2,100 trees have been planted in 20 state parks across Michigan.

Volunteers 

If you are interested in volunteering to plant trees, help care for newly planted trees, or are interested in other stewardship efforts at state parks, please contact Kelsey Dietz.

Questions?

For more details on Happy Little Tree plantings, general tree planting or forest health in state parks, contact Heidi Frei (DNR natural resource steward and state park forest health).

For more details on the Happy Little Trees partnership, the Happy Little 5K, and sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle O'Kelly (DNR parks and recreation fund developer).

Support Happy Little Trees!

Show your support for trees in state parks by donating to the tree planting and protection fund. This fund supports forest stewardship and protection in state parks, such as planting trees and fighting invasive species and diseases.

Make a donation