Tree Trek: A Daughter's Walk Through Grief

by Stephanie Mirocha

Bringing together art and science, Mirocha presents a loving testament to the healing power of nature centered on a particular group of trees in her hometown city park that helped her navigate the loss of her father. Reviving the annual community event he initiated, called Tree Trek, Mirocha takes up his legacy of guiding park visitors wishing to learn more about the various tree species growing there. In this memoir as multifaceted as the projects she undertook, Mirocha expands her personal story into the universal connection we all have with nature. Beautifully crafted, each chapter is titled with a tree genus deftly woven into various aspects of her healing journey, from becoming a Minnesota master naturalist to creating an enduring connection to her father through her park projects. Readers travel along as Mirocha describes the joy of following in her father’s footsteps while at the same time learning much about the natural history of trees to take with them into future outdoor experiences.

132 pages, Paperback

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Stephanie Mirocha grew up climbing trees and exploring the city park across from her childhood home. Her creative expression not only takes form in her passion for writing but also in her visual art. She has illustrated four children’s picture books connecting children to nature. Frog in the House won the 2016 Giverny Award for a science picture book in English, and My Little Book of Bald Eagles won 1st place, Juvenile Nonfiction, in the 2010 Next Gen Indie Book Awards. Graduating from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Philosophy, Mirocha followed her free spirit to embrace the unconventional life of an artist after moving to Aitkin, a small town in north central Minnesota.

Reviews

[Rick Bie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tree Trek is, on one hand, a helpful resource for those interested in learning more about trees, as recounted by a master naturalist whose depth of scientific knowledge is impressive. What makes this memoir truly special, though, is the author's vision: seeing in trees the qualities that connect us to our world, and to each other. The subject is heavy, but the treatment isn't heavy-handed. Its poignancy is balanced with humor in places, and the overall tone is optimistic. It's a well-written, fun book that I had trouble putting down.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful weaving of trees and humanity, moving forward through the trials of life with our human and non-human fellow beings by our side. This book balances tree ecology and human story, inviting us to walk together on the path of life.