AITKIN — In 2020, Stephanie Mirocha became a Minnesota master naturalist. Her father, who regularly led "Tree Treks" in St. Paul's Como Park, inspired this achievement.
Mirocha's father died in 2019 and her new memoir, Tree Trek: A Daughter's Walk Through Grief, blends her personal story while highlighting the importance of nature in our lives.
"I have always loved trees. I've loved nature and this book is about a shared love for nature, that kind of bonded me with my dad," Mirocha said in a recent KAXE Morning Show interview.
Mirocha now leads Tree Treks herself at Como Park, where she tries to make each one unique. She said people show up because they want to learn more about different tree species. And just like her father, she maintains informational tags on 39 species throughout the park. Maps are available online for self-guided tours.
Tree Trek: A Daughter's Walk Through Grief is available from Holy Cow! Press.
Have you had a meaningful tree in your life? Tell us about it!
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Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's OfficeFirefighters responded to a wildland fire between Orr and Crane Lake on Friday, May 15, 2026. After returning to the airport, it was learned a bullet appeared to have struck one of the planes. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEEvacuated homeowners will be able to return to their properties for the day, Monday, May 18, 2026. Crow Wing County declared a local emergency, the first step toward state disaster aid. -
Contributed/Danielle SullivanReaching Rural Readers sends free books to rural Minnesota high school students. This summer's list includes books by Dawn Quigley, K. Woodman-Maynard, and Kenneth Cadow. -
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As next steps for a proposed data center are considered, Liz Schwab from Google addresses some of the concerns raised at a recent Hermantown City Council meeting.
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Contributed/Doug MitchellWildland firefighters are working on containment and mopping up hot spots for a wildfire that began Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2026, southeast of Crosslake. -
Plus: Minnesota partners want you to help track wildlife collisions; and DNR upgrades four fishing piers in Northern Minnesota.
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Contributed/Screenshot of St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay Facebook pageSt. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said the fire was one of at least a half-dozen blazes in the county as high winds, low humidity and drought conditions persisted. -
Contributed/CanvaResearchers are asking Minnesotans to count roadkill during Wildlife Casualty Count Week of Action, May 22-29, 2026, to help inform problem areas so that protections can be added. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe agency said it is also close to finishing upgrades on the pier on Sand Lake near Warba.
