Water Conservation Leaders Convene on the Final Day of 2007 For Rain Bird's Eighth Intelligent Use of Water™ Summit
Foremost Industry Leaders Urge Industry Professionals to Take a Proactive Role in Water Conservation Management and Planning
Dave Johnson, Director of Corporate Marketing for Rain Bird Corp. presents a check to Marty Eberhardt, Executive Director of The Water Conservation Garden Dec. 31, 2007, in Pasadena, Calif. The Water Conservation Garden, in El Cajon, Calif., was the recipient of the 2007 Intelligent Use of Water Award. (Photo/John Hayes)
PASADENA, Calif., Dec. 31 -- Conservation experts and green industry professionals convened today in Pasadena, Calif., at The Intelligent Use of Water Summit VIII, A Look at Global Conservation Initiatives and Strategies: Leading By Example, for a forum focused on water conservation initiatives and strategies relating to landscape irrigation.
Hosted by Rain Bird Corporation, the leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, the four-person panel gathered to discuss challenges industry professionals and the public currently face and ways in which they can contribute to furthering outdoor water conservation.
"Our commitment extends beyond products to partnering with individuals and organizations around the world who share a similar interest in water efficiency," said Rain Bird Corporate Marketing Director Dave Johnson. "We also seek to educate people about the issues caused by water scarcity while helping to present solutions to potential problems. It is in that spirit that we present these Summits and panel discussions."
Today's panel featured members with water conservation expertise as it relates to academia, research, media and landscape design. The panelists were: Mike Binns - Regional Landscape Director, Camden Living (Houston, TX); Roger Cook -- Landscape contractor, This Old House (Burlington, MA); Marty Eberhardt -- Executive Director of The Water Conservation Garden; Recipient of the 2007 Intelligent Use of Water Award (El Cajon, CA); David Zoldoske -- Director, Center for Irrigation Technology (Fresno, CA).
The New-Year's-Eve Day summit began with Rain Bird's presentation of an award check for $10,000 to panelist Marty Eberhardt, Executive Director of The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, in recognition of The Water Conservation Garden being named winner of the 2007 Intelligent Use of Water Award earlier this year.
"We believe that you need to work on both the emotions and the brain," Eberhardt said of the Garden's mission. "Right now we're feeling that, with the water situation as it is, there might be mandatory water rationing soon and we're quickly trying to come up with new education programs."
In addition to calling for irrigation and landscaping professionals to assist in the development and implementation of water conservation initiatives and management, the panel emphasized the need to question accepted trade practices. They also acknowledged the role that industry professionals can have in influencing individuals and organizations to adopt water-conserving practices.
Panelist Roger Cook, Landscape contractor, This Old House said, "We need to look ahead, but there's a lot of things we can do now in terms of water conservation. The more we can show people through television, through articles, and any other way we can, the more people will do this."
In addition to hosting the bi-annual Summit, Rain Bird devotes significant resources to its Intelligent Use of Water public education campaigns, which include: The Intelligent Use of Water Award; a series of white papers; public service announcements; membership on the Alliance for Water Efficiency and the steering committee advising the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its WaterSense product labeling program; The Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition; partnerships with non-profit organizations; development and support of elementary and middle school curriculums; and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade®, an annual worldwide stage to communicate the need for water conservation.
ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
Based in Azusa, CA, Rain Bird Corporation is the leading
manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services.
Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry’s
broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses,
sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more
than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded
more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the
impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water™ is
about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products
to education, training and services for the industry and
the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing
assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden
and Mexico. www.rainbird.com
