Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) has identified a grant program in which  the industry organization  could receive $10,000 for the next installment of their Integrated Water Management Educational Series that is now under development – and we can help!

In an ongoing effort to advance water conservation, GRHC and the American Association of Irrigation Consultants (ASIC) have jointly entered a proposal in the Rain Bird Intelligent Use of Water Awards program for  this  generous  grant.   Now in its fourth year, the Intelligent Use of Water Awards is an interactive grant program that awards funds in $1,500, $5,000 or $10,000 funding categories to water conservation and environmental sustainability projects that promote green spaces.

“The need to conserve water has never been greater. We want to do more and with your help, we can.

Submit a project that uses water efficiently, promotes green spaces, and is a great example of sustainability. You could win the funding you need to make a difference!” ~ Rain Bird

The GRHC and ASIC  proposal to assist funding for the second installment in the series is set  to leverage additional government and public awareness by providing technical and economic information on the design and performance of a fully integrated site and building water management system based on the “Net Zero Water” concept.

Sounds like the GRHC and ASIC project is a winner!   Or certainly should be.   The entire Integrated Water Management Educational Series will consist of six courses, four hours in length and suitable for electronic media delivery over the GRHC’s Living Architecture Online Academy as well live instruction at selected industry events.

But there  is less than a week before voting closes in the Rain Bird grant program!  Each individual can vote once a day until March 15, 2011  – and it’s super easy.    No need to register or anything – just click here  where you can see the  whole Integrated Water Management Educational Series proposal and project goals at the  Rain Bird website, and vote with a click of a button.   Of course, you can also learn more about the other notable projects as well.   Winners will be announced on March 22, 2011 which is, appropriately, “World Water Day.”

“Each vote counts toward award of the grant, so please help us obtain funding for this important educational program.” ~ Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

As you may recall, I attended the first 4-hour “Integrated Water Management for Buildings & Sites”  seminar presented by Jeffrey Bruce, FASLA, GRP, Chair of GRHC (and President of Jeffrey L. Bruce & Company) last December at the 2010 CitiesAlive! Green Roof & Wall Conference in gorgeous Vancouver, B.C.   I’m sure this $10,000 grant will go a long way to help continue developing this important  series which is the epitome of promoting “The Intelligent Use of Water” itself!

As they say, “Vote early, and vote often!”   Help GRHC improve their rankings and get to the #1 spot – tell all your friends and colleagues to support the cause every day until March 15.   Don’t forget to social media it, too!

~ Fellow GRHC member, Linda V., GRP