Ethan Tapper is a forester, ecologist, bestselling author, and content creator from Vermont. He is the author of two critically-acclaimed and best-selling books; his first book How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World, was published in 2024 and received the 2025 New England Book Award for non-fiction. His second book — The Forest Year: Finding Hope in a World Worth Saving — was published on October 6, 2026.

Ethan has worked as a professional forester since 2012. He holds a B.S. in Forestry and an M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont, is a Vermont-licensed forester, Audubon-endorsed forester and NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP). After graduating from UVM, Ethan worked as a consulting forester on forests in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and Maine, before becoming the Chittenden County Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation in 2016. As Chittenden County Forester, Ethan received numerous regional and national awards, including being named the Outstanding Forester of the Year by the Northeast Midwest State Foresters Alliance, and the National Outstanding Inspector (forester) of the Year by the American Tree Farm System. Ethan left this role to start his own consulting forestry business, Bear Island Forestry, in 2024.

In 2024, Ethan started social media channels on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook — using the handle @HowToLoveAForest — which now have hundreds of thousands of followers. Each year, he produces hundreds of videos about natural history, ecology, forest stewardship and more that are viewed millions of times each month.

Since 2024, a large part of Ethan’s job has also been public speaking. Ethan is a sought-after presenter who has delivered hundreds of keynotes and talks across North America. Learn more about where Ethan has given talks in the past and where he’ll be visiting in the future here, and ask him to come speak at your event or for your organization here.

In 2025, Ethan partnered with illustrator Frances Cannon to publish Willow and the Storm, a children’s book about forest ecology, resilience, regeneration, and mortality. Learn more about Willow and the Storm here!

In October 2026, Ethan’s second full-length book — The Forest Year: Finding Hope in a World Worth Saving — was published and is now available as a hardcover, eBook and audiobook (narrated by Ethan) wherever books are sold. The Forest Year has received glowing endorsements from prominent environmental authors — including from Doug Tallamy, the author of Nature’s Best Hope, who wrote: “Set a seat at the table, Wendell Berry; Ethan Tapper has arrived!”‍ ‍Learn more about The Forest Year and see some ordering options here.

Today, Ethan travels across North America, advocating for ecosystems and ecosystem stewardship, as well as writing, making videos, and managing his consulting forestry business from his home in Vermont — at his 175-acre working forest, orchard, homestead and sugarbush (“Bear Island,”). He also performs with his punk band, The Bubs.