May 2-4, 2025

How to Love a Forest: Reimagining Forests and Forest Stewardship with Ethan Tapper

What does it mean to love a forest? Join Ethan Tapper, the bestselling author of How to Love a Forest, for a weekend-long exploration of forests and what it means to care for them. Ethan will lead participants in talks and discussions centering on forest ecology, natural history, and forest stewardship, and walks focused on birding, spring ephemeral wildflowers, reading a forest’s history through landscape clues, and more. In the evenings, join Ethan for informal discussions about his writing, his creative process, and anything else that comes up!

About the Presenter

Ethan Tapper is a forester, author, birder, hunter, and natural historian from Vermont. He has been recognized as a thought-leader and a disruptor in the forestry and conservation community of the northeastern United States and beyond, winning multiple regional and national awards for his work. Ethan runs a consulting forestry business – Bear Island Forestry – is a regular contributor to Northern Woodlands magazine and a variety of other publications and is a digital creator with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook. In his personal life, Ethan works, writes, hunts and birds at Bear Island – his 175-acre working forest, homestead, orchard and sugarbush – works toward a graduate degree at the University of Vermont, and plays in his 10-piece punk band, The Bubs.

Support Rowe and our Presenter by purchasing his book through our Amazon affiliate link.

Conference Pricing Information

For the 2024-2025 conference season, our presenters are generously offering a sliding scale pricing model. This allows you to choose a payment that aligns with your budget, supporting a diverse community of participants and reflecting our commitment to accessibility.

In addition, we’ve updated our pricing structure, returning to separate program fees and housing and meal costs. You’ll notice an increase in accommodations and meal pricing, as well as a new sustaining operations fee. This change is necessary to maintain our facilities, offer ethical wages to our staff, and ensure the continued success of our programs.

As a non-profit organization, your participation and support are crucial. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to continuing to provide enriching experiences that foster growth and connection. Thank you for being part of our community.

Full Price Event Program Fee $500

For those who can comfortably support themselves and others. Your contribution helps make our programs accessible to others.

2 Discount Options:

Discount 1 – Comfortably Contributing – $250

For those who can meet their basic needs with a little extra for occasional luxuries. Paying for this class may qualify as a sacrifice but it would not create hardship.

Discount 2 – Berkshires on a Budget – $150
For those who need some financial assistance. You might be a student or a freelancer or retired with a low fixed income. This tier ensures you can still participate without financial strain.