Announcing the 2020 Taking Root Scholarship Winners

Arborjet, a leader in tree and plant health care is pleased to announce that it has awarded 2020 Taking Root Scholarships to this year’s deserving students. Now in its seventh consecutive year, the program offers up to $10,000 in scholarship to students who plan to pursue full-time studies in forestry, plant sciences, horticulture, entomology, or a related major at an accredited two-or four-year college. The following are this year’s recipients:

Brianna Moser will be awarded $5,000 to major in forest health at SUNY-ESF Ranger School, located in the northwestern Adirondack Mountains, the only college in the U.S. that offers an undergraduate major in forest health. She plans on participating in the school’s American Chestnut Restoration project, and to pursue a career in forest pathology. She hopes to work for the U.S. Forest Service to help survey forests for pests and disease, and to develop treatments to curb or eliminate tree pests and diseases – directly in alignment with Arborjet’s mission.

Sofia Maass will receive $3,000 to study Environmental Science / Biology in the Honors Program at Allegheny College. She volunteered at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, at The University of Texas at Austin, where she developed a strong interest in entomology and the relationship between insects and their host plants. For her Senior Project, she created a field guide of arthropods and was the first person to photograph a type of tortoise beetle and larvae (Cassida relicta) in her county. Through this discovery, she’s been able to make professional contacts at the Smithsonian and Texas A&M. 

Rounding out this year’s scholarship recipients is Joseph Hider, who will be awarded $2,000 to begin his studies as a Forestry major at Montana State University. He plans to pursue a career with the National Park Service, hoping “to preserve the country’s national resources and make them accessible for all citizens.” 

“We want parents, educators, counselors and the tree care community to join us in encouraging young students to transform their ingenuity and passion into a career in this important industry. Through this scholarship program, we recognize dedicated students whose philosophy aligns with our company’s mission tohelp save trees and preserve urban forests. This year’s winners have demonstrated achievement in their schools and want to lend their skills and talents to help grow our industry, which we truly value,” said Russ Davis, President and CEO, Arborjet.

Recipients for the scholarship program must be graduating U.S. high school seniors planning to major in forestry or a related major for the entire academic year at an accredited two-or four-year college or university. For further information on this year’s recipients and to find out more about the scholarship, please visit: https://arborjet.com/taking-root-scholarship-program/

About: Arborjet technology was developed in 2000 by arborists, for arborists, in order to effectively manage and control exotic and native insects and diseases threatening natural and urban forests. Today, Arborjet is the leading plant health care company focused on providing the most effective formulations and delivery systems to protect trees, shrubs, and plants from a wide variety of insect, disease, and nutritional concerns. As premier solutions providers, they are committed to advancing the industries they serve through thought leadership, product and technology development, scientific research, and exceptional customer service.