Welcome back to the poor proz almanac. This is Andy, and today we have the privilege of speaking with Ethan Tapper, a distinguished forester, author, and advocate for sustainable forest stewardship.

Based in Vermont, Ethan's journey into forestry began after a transformative wilderness expedition.

This led him to study at the University of Vermont and later serve as the Chittenden County Forester. In this role,

he became known for his innovative public outreach, engaging thousands through educational events,

columns, and digital content. His dedication to forest conservation has earned him numerous accolades,

including the 2024 National Tree Farm Inspector of the Year Award from the American Tree Farm System.

2024 was a busy year for Ethan.

He also transitioned to founding Bear Island Forestry, a consulting firm focused in responsible forest management.

However, you might know him for another reason.

He also published his debut book, How to Love a Forest, the Bittersweet Work of Tending

A Changing World, which explores the complexities of forest care and our evolving relationship

with nature.

And that's what we're talking about today.

We dive into Ethan's experiences in the woods, his insights on forest management, and the

inspirations behind his writing.

This was a fun conversation.

I think you guys will enjoy it.

Let us know what you think.

Ethan, thanks so much for joining us.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?

What drove you to decide I need to write this book?

Well, it's been a process. You know, I've been working as a forester now for about 12 years,

...