Arborjet is sponsoring a $50,000 grant program to be managed by the Tree Research & Education Endowment (TREE) Fund, which aims to sustain urban forests through funding for scientific research, education programs and scholarships related to arboriculture and urban forestry.

The company also appointed Don Grosman, Ph.D., Arborjet’s technology advancement manager, to serve as liaison to state university extension for the partnership.

“University extension services provide a vital service to the community that we’re pleased to be able to support through this new grant program,” said Russ Davis, president and COO of Arborjet. “In addition, as a former member of the Texas A&M Forest Service, Don is uniquely qualified to help us ensure we’re meeting the current support needs of extension offices across the country.”

Grosman will guild Arborjet’s efforts to develop the next evolution in plant health technology. He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, is a frequent presenter at conferences and a member of various societies and committees, including the Entomological Society of America and the International Society of Arboriculture–Texas. Grossman also has conducted research in protecting urban and natural forests against pests, receiving recognition through the Forest Research Award and the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Services. Grosman holds a Ph.D. in Entomology from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a Master of Science in Forestry from the University of Maine at Orono.

“This new grant program, coupled with Grosman’s new responsibilities, are just two more ways that we continue moving forward on our mission to help protect our urban and natural forests,” Davis said.