50 YEARS A DIRT FORESTER

A Life in the Woods: One Vermonter’s Stand for the LandIn the spring of 2024, Vermont found itself at a crossroads. A proposed bill backed by anti-hunting advocates threatened to reshape the traditions and values long held by the state’s rural communities. Among those who rose to defend them was William Sargent-a man who describes himself as 50 years a dirt forester and never a day behind a desk.What began as testimony to the Vermont House Committee on Environment and Energy soon sparked something more. Encouraged by a colleague who recognized the depth of his stories, Sargent set out to capture a lifetime spent in the wild. In this compelling collection, he shares vivid memories of the forests, fields, and mountains he has called home-stories of stewardship, resilience, and the unshakable bond between people and place.This is more than a memoir. It’s a passionate tribute to Vermont’s natural heritage-and a call to protect it.