What does it mean to love a forest?
Bear Island Forestry is a consulting forestry company dedicated to a reimagining of our relationship to forests. Foundational to our land ethic is the belief that we have responsibility to care for ecosystems, biodiversity, and each other; to leave a more abundant, functional and beautiful world for future generations. We believe that forest management can be an act of compassion — generative and regenerative, radical and vital — and that humans can be a keystone species.
What We Do
Bear Island Forestry was founded by Ethan Tapper, a nationally-recognized forester and bestselling author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World.
Based in Bolton, Vermont, Bear Island Forestry provides consulting forestry services to landowners, non-profits, companies, and municipalities. Offerings include drafting Forest Management Plans, implementing forest management projects from start to finish, and providing mentorship and education for forest landowners, stewards and laypeople. Ethan Tapper is a Vermont-licensed forester, Audubon-endorsed forester and an NRCS TSP. Learn more about the services we provide here.
Bear Island Forestry specializes in ecological forestry and managing for old growth characteristics, using forest management to help forests heal from the wounds of the past, navigate the threats and stressors of the present, and become resilient and adaptive in the face of climate change. We believe that forest management can and must be restorative and regenerative: a vital tool used to build a more abundant and more beautiful world. Learn more about our philosophy here.
Ethan is a decorated forester, author and educator, having received multiple regional and national awards for his work. In 2024, Ethan started Bear Island Forestry with the belief that he could have even more of a positive impact on forests, forest management and conservation in the private sector. Learn more about Ethan here.
Ethan provides additional services, including public speaking, trainings, communication consulting, and more. Learn more about other services that Ethan offers at EthanTapper.com

Stay Connected!
Sign up for Ethan’s email list to receive news and updates about Ethan, Bear Island Forestry and How to Love a Forest!