With the advent of an early and much welcomed spring, the 3rd annual Gunflint Green Up couldn’t be coming at a better time.
Instead of concentrating on planting trees this year, volunteers will “release” trees on May 7 and May 8. “That’s cutting away the competing vegetation to let the sunshine in,” said Nancy Seaton, event coordinator.
“Think of it like a garden, once you plant it, you have to take care of it. So this year we’ll be taking care of our Green Up trees!” Seaton said.
Organizations helping plan and coordinate include representatives from the Gunflint Trail Association, Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway, USDA Forest Service and private residents. Serving on this committee with Seaton are Sue Weber, Kathy Lande, Dave Tuttle, Bruce Kerfoot, and Fred Smith.
And the community has stepped forward to help as well.
“Whether we’ve asked for wood chips, garbage collection, drinking water, tableware, financial contributions or cookies and bars, we’ve gotten help,” said Seaton.
In previous years the mission of the Gunflint Green Up has been planting trees. In 2010, participants will work to “release” the young trees planted, clearing away the more rapidly growing brush that shields the trees from the sun. Lower right: Sydney Plumb and her dad, from White Bear Lake, will be able to return to see how the trees they planted have fared.
Three Forest Service employees, Myra Theimer, Rich Kujawa and Dave Grosshuesch planned the areas to be released. They also provided information on how the work could be effectively and safely done.
Over the last two years more than 700 people have taken part in planting 100,000 trees.
This year volunteers will release trees at the Iron Lake Campground, Kekekabic Trail, and Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
Feeding the Green Up crew will be Gunflint Lodge and Subway. All meals and a T-shirt are $45/per person or $100/family (1-2 adults and their children 16 and under).
The Pincushion Warblers,
The Sivertones,
and Trail’s End
Band
will provide entertainment. Bill Lane will share his Owl in a Night’s Work
presentation Friday night.
“It’s great to be part of this community cause. Some folks are coming up the Gunflint Trail for the first time, some vacation here every year, some are here for part of the year, and a few of us are lucky enough to call the Trail home,” said Seaton, adding, “We’re all here because we love the woods, we love the trees and all the animals that make this special place home. For all it’s done for us we want to help the forest we love for the next generation.”
Deadline for registering is Friday, April 30. To learn more about helping with the Gunflint Green Up go to Gunflint Green Up.com Lodging specials as well as a la carte options are on the website.
Gunflint Green Up scheduled events
Friday, May 7
2:00 PM · Chik-Wauk Museum
& Nature Center Preview
Meet at the Gunflint Conference Center for
a sneak peek at what’s coming to the
Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
3:00 PM · Centennial Trail Hike
Meet at the Centennial Trail Head
Kekekabic Trail Head) and join Steve Robertsen,
USFS naturalist, on an interpretive hike. The new 3.3 mile
Centennial Trail crosses areas affected by the Ham Lake
Fire and planted during Gunflint Green Up 2009.
5:50 – 7:30 PM · Welcome Picnic
Big Top at Gunflint Lodge – music by Pincushion Warblers
After dinner : Owl in a Night’s Work
–
Bill Lane, Boreal Owl Researcher
Saturday, May 8
9:30 AM · Tree release
Gunflint Green Up tree release registrants report to
staging areas (as notified by e-mail). Box lunch provided.
5:30 – 7:30 PM · Thank You Dinner
Big Top at Gunflint Lodge – music by The Sivertones
8:00 PM · Dance
Trail’s End Band
at the Big Top at Gunflint Lodge
This energetic group of tree planters, like all the others, is invited to return once again to help assist with the Gunflint Green Up. Thank you, volunteers!
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