Many Michiganders clearly have a soft spot for state parks, Bob Ross and running in the great outdoors! Recently, the DNR took to social media to announce the first Happy Little 5K / Run for the Trees virtual race, and the response was amazing. In less than a week, nearly 20,000 people signed up to receive registration updates.

Participants will walk, run or hike their 5K, as long as it’s completed in the outdoors (and your mailing address is located somewhere in the continental U.S.) sometime between April 17-26. That’s 10 days including two full weekends and, for good measure, Earth Day (April 22) and Arbor Day (April 24).

The race is the latest offering from the Happy Little Trees program. Through a partnership with Bob Ross Inc. and funding from the U.S. Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and a donation that stems from Chateau Grand Traverse's "CGT Wines of the Great Outdoors" series, the program helps state parks replant trees lost to invasive forest pests and diseases, including emerald ash borer and oak wilt.

Inspired by this year’s Michigan state parks centennial, the DNR partnered with Bob Ross Inc. to rename and help build awareness around the state’s tree-planting program and new opportunities for people to help. Volunteers received Happy Little Planting T-shirts featuring Bob Ross, the iconic painter and nature fan who connected with millions of people through his “Joy of Painting” public television show.

The partnership also included options to support the program through donations and the purchase of T-shirts via the These Goods are Good for Michigan platform.

Happy Little 5K registration opens Jan. 1. Each participant will get a Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher's medal. All race proceeds support tree-planting efforts at Michigan state parks.

The virtual race originally had a cap of 1,000 participants. Now, with elevated public interest, the DNR has lifted the cap and will establish a new cap closer to registration opening. Anyone interested can sign up for preregistration notification and other updates.

"We're so excited about the outpouring of interest for support of the Happy Little Trees planting program,” said Michelle Coss, DNR parks and recreation fund development coordinator. “We are working to make this event available to as many people as possible."

Questions? Learn more about the Happy Little Trees program online or contact Michelle Coss at 517-881-5884.