RAIN BIRD AND CAL POLY POMONA
TO UNVEIL
BIOTREK AT A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY SET FOR OCT. 1 AT 9 A.M.
The
3,500 sq. ft. Rainforest Simulation Expands Rain Bird’s
Commitment
to Environmental Education and "The Intelligent Use of
Water"
By Providing "Hands-On Experience" for Students
of All Levels
Local Schools, Dignitaries
and Tongva Tribe Member Scheduled
to Attend Grand Opening Ceremony at Cal Poly Pomona
GLENDORA, Calif. (Sept. 1, 2002)
– California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and
Rain Bird Corporation, the leading manufacturer of irrigation
equipment, announced today the Oct. 1 grand opening of BioTrek
at Cal Poly Pomona, a comprehensive rainforest simulation
and learning center located on the university’s campus
in Pomona, California.
Five years in the making, the 3,500 sq. ft. research and
education facility consists of three learning centers including
the Rain Bird Rainforest Learning Center, the Rain Bird Ethnobotany
Learning Center and the Rain Bird Aquatic Biology Learning
Center, all of which provide an unparalleled "hands-on"
learning experience for students of all levels to explore
the complexities and diversity of a tropical rainforest as
well as terrestrial and aquatic habitats of California and
the tropics. In addition to remarks by officials from Cal
Poly Pomona, Rain Bird and invited dignitaries, the event
will feature tours of the facility and its three learning
centers, activities for children and a special appearance
from a Tongva Native American tribal representative who will
recite a dedication speech in his native language.
The only facility of its kind located on a university campus,
BioTrek is expected to provide more than 10,000 students and
visitors per year with the opportunity to learn the importance
of environmental conservation and how the future is linked
to present conservation efforts through an integrated, interactive
learning and research process.
"BioTrek is a new approach to helping people learn
about the ecological processes and cultural importance of
rainforests and other habitats," said Don Straney, dean
of the College of Science at Cal Poly Pomona. "It helps
align the meaning of abstract ideas and scientific concepts.
Visitors will experience first-hand the interrelationships
among plants, animals, microbes and the physical environment."
Initially situated in a science department prep room, BioTrek
expanded into its multi-center incarnation in large part due
to Rain Bird Corporation’s support.
"BioTrek is a natural extension of Rain Bird’s
commitment to ‘The Intelligent Use of Water’"
said Art Ludwick, Senior Vice President of Rain Bird Corporation.
"Rain Bird is deeply concerned about the environment
and has always promoted stewardship of Earth’s resources,
of which water is among the most precious."
BioTrek is not the first time that Rain Bird Corporation
has partnered with Cal Poly Pomona to create a program of
true significance and universal application. Prior to the
BioTrek project, the two entities teamed up to develop a K-12
Rainforest Teaching Curriculum, designed to be an educational
tool for all educators, students and parents and currently
available at www.rainbird.com.
Cal Poly Pomona is located at 3801 W. Temple Ave. in Pomona.
Parking permits are required and can be purchased for $4 from
the Visitor Information Booth along Kellogg Drive.
ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
Based in Glendora, 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
ABOUT CAL POLY POMONA
Located on more than 1,400 acres in Southern California,
Cal Poly Pomona is part of the 23-campus California State
University system. Offering degrees in bachelor’s, master’s
and certificate programs, its 2,500 faculty and staff serve
over 19,000 students. One of only six polytechnic universities
nationwide, Cal Poly Pomona’s mission is to advance
learning and knowledge by linking theory and practice while
preparing students for lifelong learning, leadership and careers
in a changing, multicultural world.
