Jerry Micsinszki is a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a certified Ontario Utility Arborist, a certified Greens Keeper, and founder of Pineridge Tree Service Ltd. A presence in the tree industry since 1976, he continues his lifelong mission to employ and train personnel to safely and properly prune, treat, and remove trees in the Niagara Region. Pineridge’s company slogan – “Put Our Trained Personnel to Work for You!” – is a true reflection of his commitment to mentoring emerging talents in the field of arboriculture and utility arboriculture. Getting his start working for a family tree business in his hometown of Windsor, Ontario, he carries on the legacy of family-run tree businesses with his daughter Rachel and son-in-law Craig to this day.

As the first person in Ontario to be an ISA Certified Arborist, he has gone on to guide over 35 individuals towards achieving arborist and utility arborist certifications. With nearly five decades of industry expertise, he has dedicated countless hours to mentoring a new generation of highly qualified and skilled arborists. His personal, hands-on approach to teaching and learning has earned him a reputation in the Niagara Region for training. Moreover, his drive and genuine passion for training and education has earned him provincial recognition as evidenced by the Minister’s Recognition Employer Award by the Ministry of Colleges and Trades. This dedication is the driving force behind this bursary initiative.

In continuation of Jerry’s legacy, the Jerry Micsinszki Arborist Apprenticeship Bursary will be given to an arborist apprentice working in Canada with a passion for the industry and a drive to pursue their provincial designation.

Bursary Requirements

• Applications due January 31 at 11:59 PM EST
• The objective of this bursary is to provide financial assistance to a student(s) pursuing their provincial designation in Arboriculture in Canada
• The individual must be a registered apprentice in their home province and working towards achieving their provincial trade designation
• Bursary recipient(s) will be given a cheque in the amount of $2,000 to support their apprenticeship studies
• The bursary will be presented (when a worthy recipient exists as deemed by the award committee) at the ISA Ontario Chapter Conference in February.
• NOTE: Applicants can apply either to the Harold Van Dyke Bursary or to the Jerry Micsinszki Arborist Apprenticeship Bursary but not both.

Download the Jerry Micsinszki Arborist Apprenticeship Bursary Application Form here