Ethan Tapper

Ethan Tapper, former Chittenden County Forester and owner of Bear Island Tree Farm in Bolton, VT, has been transforming his 175-acre property since purchasing it in 2017.

When he purchased the land, it was degraded from past high-grading forest practices, choked with invasive species and erosion, but leveraging his forestry expertise, Ethan took on the challenge of restoring the land. His work includes:

• Rehabilitation logging

• Invasive species control

• Trail maintenance.

Tree Farm certification, earned in 2018, represents Ethan’s commitment to responsible land management. He values the Tree Farm community for its shared knowledge, accountability, and support.

Ethan’s Advice to New Members:

• Join the Tree Farm program for its network.

• Take advantage of the program’s resources

• Connect with knowledgeable people.

Looking forward, Ethan believes that educating the public and engaging the next generation are key to sustaining the Tree Farm program’s impact. He emphasizes that sharing knowledge and fostering awareness will inspire future tree farmers and advocates.