Gunflint Green Up celebrates 10 years, thousands of trees planted

The Ham Lake Fire started in the remote forests near the Gunflint Trail in early May 2007, burning 76,000 acres in northeast Minnesota and western Ontario before it was silenced one week later. 

Since then, more than 500,000 trees have been planted by volunteers, Forest Service staff and others during annual events known as the Gunflint Green Up.

The first official Green Up event took place on May 2, 2008. 

In this feature, WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs speaks with Myra Theimer, a silviculturist with the Forest Service on the Gunflint District, and Nancy Seaton of the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee, about the origins of the Gunflint Green Up.

Note: As the 10 year anniversary arrives to commemorate the first Gunflint Green Up event that took place in 2008, there will be a potluck at the Seagull Lake Community Center on Saturday, May 5 from 5-7 p.m.