Rain Bird Announces Intelligent Use of Water Scholarship Winner

Rain Bird Corporation has announced the winner of its 2007 Intelligent Use of WaterTM (IUOW) Scholarship, which supports students committed to water conservation.  This year's winner is Lauren M'Lynn Lehrmann. She is a third-year student at Texas A&M University, majoring in landscape architecture and minoring in horticulture. 

In existence for over 25 years, Rain Bird's IUOW Scholarship recognizes an outstanding landscape architecture, horticulture or irrigation science student who exemplifies Rain Bird's IUOW philosophy.  This philosophy entails taking a lead role in water conservation efforts, educating others on "smart water" practices, working with interested parties to save water resources and utilizing water efficient products.  Past IUOW Scholarship winners have ranged from established landscape professionals seeking further education to enrolled students just discovering the field.

"As designers, the responsibility of landscape architects must be to promote a healthy environment for generations to come," wrote Lehrmann in her winning application.  "As such, it is essential for landscape architects to design through efficient use of materials and methods.  The principles of Rain Bird's IUOW Scholarship exemplify my design vision of landscape sustainability and leaving a positive impact on individuals, communities and the environment."

The IUOW Scholarship is awarded in partnership with the Landscape Architecture Foundation, an organization dedicated to the professional development of those involved with landscape architecture and its related sciences.  The scholarship will provide Lehrmann with $2,500 to study the landscape and irrigation sciences during the 2007-2008 academic year. 

"The IUOW Scholarship demonstrates our commitment to educating the landscape industry on how to best conserve water," said Nancy Roth, Rain Bird's Channel Relations Manager.  "By supporting design students, we help give back to the landscape design industry.  We also encourage designers to follow scholarship winners' leads and learn more about better integrating 'smart water use' in their design plans."

Applications for the 2008-2009 IUOW Scholarship are currently being accepted until February 2008 and a recipient will be announced in April 2008.  More information and instructions to apply for the scholarship can be found at the Landscape Architecture Foundation Web site, www.laprofession.org/financial/scholarships.htm.