AZUSA, CA — Rain Bird has partnered with Arizona State University's (ASU's) Global Institute of Sustainability to discuss sustainability and global water-scarcity issues at the upcoming Intelligent Use of Water Summit IX.  Scheduled for Sept. 3, 2008 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, the two-hour environmentally focused symposium will provide insight and perspective on the future of global water-management programs, policies, initiatives, trends and strategies.

Moderated by John D'Anna, senior editor for The Arizona Republic, the summit is a unique opportunity for environmental and water management thought leaders to engage in an open-forum discussion about the challenges faced by citizens, corporations and countries as it relates to a sustainable water supply. The ninth Intelligent Use of Water Summit will convene the following panelists:

• Doug Bennett - Water Conservation Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority (Las Vegas)
• Charles L. Redman - Director, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Patricia Gober - Co-Director, Decision Center for a Desert City and Professor, School of Sustainability, School of Geographical Sciences, Arizona State University (Tempe, Ariz.)
• Richard G. Little - Director, The Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy, University of Southern California (Los Angeles)

"Our partnership with ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability is providing a forum to drive home the challenge and necessity of finding balanced solutions for the Earth's present and future water needs," said Rain Bird Corporate Marketing Director Dave Johnson.  "Water is the resource that most affects human life, and keeping the planet's water resources viable into the foreseeable future requires advanced water conservation and better water efficiency through education and innovation."

 The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of ASU's sustainability initiatives. The Institute advances research, education and business practices for an urbanizing world and houses the nation's first School of Sustainability, which offers transdisciplinary degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental, economic and social challenges of our day.

Open to the public, the two-hour summit will begin at 9:00 a.m. (MST) and conclude with an audience question-and-answer session.