Oregon — Registration is now open for the Bob Ross–inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K, a statewide fundraising event supporting tree planting and forest protection efforts across Oregon.
Inspired by the late American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross and his love of the outdoors, the event is sponsored by Oregon Parks Forever. Proceeds from Oregon registrations will fund tree planting projects in state parks and forests, with this year’s trees planted in the Santiam Canyon.
Participants may walk, run, paddle, or roll to complete a 5K anywhere outdoors between April 18 and April 26, a window that includes both Earth Day and Arbor Day. Registration is encouraged by April 1 to ensure participants receive their race shirt and finisher medal before race week. Registration will close April 15, or earlier if available race swag runs out.
For $36 per person, participants receive a commemorative Happy Little Trees T-shirt, bib number, and finisher’s medal. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for every registration.
The Happy Little Trees program originated through a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with volunteers planting trees in areas damaged by pests and disease. The effort later expanded into the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K, which is now in its sixth year and includes participants from 16 states.
“We are thrilled to honor Bob Ross and continue our efforts to plant at least one million trees in Oregon,” said Seth Miller, executive director of Oregon Parks Forever. “To date, we have funded the planting of 850,000 trees.”
Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Inc., called the event a natural fit for the artist’s legacy. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear—nature, caring for the environment, and happy trees,” she said.
Registration and additional details are available at www.orparksforever.org.
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