This Forester’s Radical Ideas Could Save Our Ecosystems! with Ethan Tapper
The title of Ethan Tapper’s book, ‘How to Love a Forest,’ would lead one to believe that it is, in fact, about forests, but there is so much more there! Upon finishing this book, my co-founder and daughter Liesl exclaimed, “This will become our family bible about how we care about the land and each other. It’s the way the whole world should work! We’re going to read from it to our kids over and over!” Join us, and you’ll surely find that this high praise is well-earned.
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About Our Guest:
Ethan Tapper is a forester with an incredible knack for turning what might sound like a dry, scientific topic into something that lights you up with curiosity and care. When I first heard the title of his new book, How to Love a Forest, I thought, “Oh wow, that’s it—that’s the kind of mindset shift we need to have!” But I didn’t know the half of it!
When I got to sit down with Ethan for a conversation, I realized his perspective was even more exciting and refreshing than I had even imagined.
Seeing the Forest for More than the Trees
Tapper doesn’t just see a forest as a bunch of trees—he sees it as a thriving community of interconnected life, each part playing its role in the grand story of nature. And his job? Well, it’s a bit like being the village caretaker in that story, and by living fully in this stewardship he has come to some lovely conclusions about nature, and about our nature—as humans.
We talk about Ethan Tapper’s journey, his passion for restoring forests, and the powerful lessons he’s packed into this book—but one of the best parts of our chat was hearing about his personal connection to the land.
There is a 175-acre property in Vermont called Bear Island that Ethan has been working to restore for quite some time; when he first got the land, it was struggling—overharvested, overwhelmed with invasive species, and in need of some serious hands-on love if it was ever going to thrive the way it was meant to. And instead of just throwing up his hands as many would—and as many likely did—Ethan leaned into the mess.
This is the foundation for one of the strongest truths that he poetically reminds us of over and over in his writing: Life is generally a mess, and we don’t have to fix it overnight. All we need is to keep our efforts consistent, and to stay focused on long-term outcomes—even for the smallest wins—because it all adds up!
How To Love A Forest…and How NOT To
How to Love a Forest dives deep into ideas that are very commonly misunderstood by us ordinary people. If you are, for example, a person who holds the notion we should just stand back and leave our forests alone, and they will eventually get back to their once robust, rich diversity…you are unfortunately very wrong.
I used to think that way too—but it turns out, all of our woodlands have already long since been altered, far beyond the point where they can “bounce back” to their natural state given only time. When taking care of woodlands (or any ecosystem, for that matter) you must consider every type of life in the environment carefully, and apply management techniques, like strategic cutting of trees and branches, to see future gains in biodiversity and resilience.
Tapper’s is a love letter to forests and the future—but it’s as much a practical guide to caring for them as it is a course in what NOT to do.
Ethan Tapper is not afraid to get real about the bittersweet parts of stewardship—sometimes it means making tough decisions, like cutting down an old and beautiful tree, or managing wildlife populations (even the cute ones). Every choice he makes, however, is guided by one goal: ensuring the long-term health of the ecosystem. (He talked about this goal a lot in the interview, and let me tell you, his passion is contagious.)
Ethan also firmly believes that work isn’t just about the trees; it’s about the people. His mission is to help us all reconnect with nature—not in some idealized, “walk-through-the-woods-in-a-flower-crown” type of way, but in a real, hands-dirty, “let’s-do-the-right-thing-for-the-land“ way. He shares with us some of his most heartwarming stories—about people who have attended his events and walked away with a completely new understanding of what our woodlands need from us to thrive.
One of the highlights of our conversation is how Ethan explains the concept of “legacy.” He sees forests as living, breathing gifts that we don’t just inherit, but are responsible for passing on in better shape than when we got them.
I loved how he put it:
“Loving a forest means thinking long-term, beyond our own lifetimes. It’s about creating a future where forests and people can thrive together.”
As Nuanced As the Forests He Protects: More About Ethan Tapper
Of course, we couldn’t talk about Ethan without mentioning his knack for storytelling. He’s not just a forester—he’s a communicator who knows how to bring people along for the journey. Whether he’s writing for Northern Woodlands magazine, leading workshops, or talking about the punk band he fronts (yes, he’s a musician too!), Ethan finds creative ways to inspire curiosity and action.
What struck me most during our interview, though, was how hopeful Ethan is. He knows our forests are facing big challenges—climate change, over-development, and neglect—but he doesn’t dwell on the problems. Instead, he focuses on what we can do, one decision at a time, to make things better. Most importantly, he believes that anyone, no matter where they live or how much they know about forestry, can make a difference.
Ethan’s book is a call to action for all of us. It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and finding joy in the process of stewardship. Whether you’re a landowner, a hiker, or someone who’s never even set foot in the woods, How to Love a Forest is packed with lessons you can take into your own life. If you haven’t already, pick up a copy—and if you ever get the chance to hear Ethan speak, don’t miss it! His blend of science, heart, and humor makes him one of the most engaging voices in forestry today.
As Ethan reminded me during our chat: loving the future isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it…and honestly, isn’t that the best kind of love?
References Mentioned:
- Website: EthanTapper.com
- Ethan’s Book: How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World by Ethan Tapper
Chapters:
- 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
- 04:32 – Ethan’s Journey to Forestry
- 10:52 – The Beauty of Action
- 13:11 – Persistence in Change
- 16:22 – Break
- 18:38 – Metaphors in Conservation
- 20:05 – Embracing Complexity
- 25:11 – The “Cathedral” Forest Fallacy
- 29:15 – Old-Growth Forests and Structural Complexity
- 34:51 – The Concept of Wolf Trees
- 42:32 – Freedom in Conservation
- 48:51 – Conservation Easements
- 50:54 – Embracing Contradictions
- 58:01 – Love and Logging
- 1:01:50 – Final Thoughts
