Bob Rossmade a be painting “ well-chosen little trees , ” but in Michigan his bequest has been transferred from the canvas to real - life happy Tree in nature .
Bob Ross Inc. and Michigan’sDepartment of Natural Resources(DNR ) have teamed up with inmates in three of the body politic ’s correctional institution to institute trees . Roadtrippersreports that to celebrate the 100th twelvemonth of Michigan ’s DoS park systems — and to honour Ross — the DNR renamed their “ prison develop ” computer program Happy Little Trees . The program teaches prisoners horticulture acquirement by grow trees from native seeds garner by volunteers . Each year , the convict help develop around 1000 trees . The state uses those young ( and happy ) trees to interchange discredited or diseased tree that repose in park , campgrounds , and train all over Michigan . In 2019 , 22 out of 103 park — about 20 per centum — will be the receiver of salubrious and happy trees grown by the inmates and a staff of volunteer .
To remember Ross ’s involvement , several parks are schedule to have commemorative sign . Orchard Beach , Port Crescent , and Yankee Springs parks will have dark-green signs with Bob Ross ’s cheek ( Afro hairdo and all ) happily paint outline of trees ; the words “ Happy Little Trees onwards ” appear below the precis . DNR is always looking for morevolunteersto plant tree diagram , and those who sign up receive a extra groovy T - shirt featuring Ross ’s semblance .
Next year marks the twenty-fifth day of remembrance of Ross ’s death , so the tree - planting program is particularly appropriate . As Ross once say : “ I make a letter from somebody here a while back , and they said , ‘ Bob , everything in your world seems to be happy . ’ That ’s for trusted . That ’s why I paint . It ’s because I can create the variety of macrocosm that I want , and I can make this macrocosm as well-chosen as I want it . Shoot , if you desire uncollectible stuff , watch the intelligence . ” Ross probably would have been thrilled to have his name attached to a program that acquire thousand of happy little trees in the wild .
