Rain Bird Will Hold Fifth Intelligent Use of Water Summit

Rain Bird recently announced its panel of experts for its fifth Intelligent Use of Water (IUOW) Summit, "Global Conservation Initiatives and Strategies: Shaping Attitudes and Changing Behaviors." The six-member symposium will convene from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 31 at the Hilton Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif. Summit panelists will include domestic and international environmental experts engaging in a lively discussion on public attitudes and behavior trends relating to outdoor water conservation.

The IUOW Summit V will be moderated by Summit veteran Robert Glennon, professor at the University of Arizona's Rogers College of Law.  Glennon is also the author of "Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and The Fate Of America's Fresh Waters." Panel members include:

• Dan Lambe, vice president, programs for The National Arbor Day Foundation (Lincoln, Neb.)
• Michael Glassman, co-host of Discovery Home's Garden Police TV show and president of Michael Glassman & Associates (Davis, Calif.)
• Denis Gourdeau, water management coordinator for the city of Calgary (Alberta, Canada)
• Lesley Tait, senior environmental advisor at Thames Water (London)
• Jim Trog, central control irrigation manager for Four Peaks Landscape Management (Tempe, Ariz.)

The IUOW Summits were established in 2004 as an open forum for experts to gather and further define the relationship between water conservation and landscape water use. Rain Bird's fifth Intelligent Use of Water Summit will build upon the success of the previous four summits by providing unique insight and perspective into the current issues and strategies for preserving the Earth's most precious resource.

"It is clear from the panel discussions at Rain Bird's previous four summits that a long-term solution to a potential crisis of global proportions hinges on a key factor," said Dave Johnson, Rain Bird's director of corporate marketing. "Both public and private institutions must be able to implement initiatives that go beyond just creating awareness of the need to conserve water. These bodies need to address the various factors that ultimately shape the public's behaviors and attitudes towards water conservation. Rain Bird's fifth summit will examine how public behaviors and attitudes are impacted by water conservation policies and measures."

Rain Bird's fifth IUOW Summit will be the third Summit held in Pasadena, Calif. Previous Rain Bird Summits have been held in Tucson, Arizona, and in Provence, France, where a panel of sustainable development decision-makers and industry experts addressed the outdoor water conservation issues pertaining to Europe.

"The issues and strategies surrounding water conservation are constantly evolving. Summits such as these are a necessary forum for keeping the lines of communication open and, ultimately, finding solutions to a potential global crisis," added Johnson.

In addition to organizing the bi-annual IUOW Summits, Rain Bird devotes resources to its IUOW public initiatives. These initiatives include a series of white papers, public service announcements, membership on the EPA's WaterSense steering committee and partnerships with non-profit organizations. Other initiatives include development and support of elementary and middle school curriculums and participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade, which provides an annual, worldwide stage to communicate the need for water conservation.

The two-hour Summit will conclude with an audience question-and-answer session. The panel discussion is open to the public. Transcripts and photos will be available following the event. More information on Rain Bird's previous summits is available online at www.rainbird.com/iuow/summit.htm.