Sign up for the 2015 Advanced Smartscape: Irrigation and receive expert instruction on efficient landscape water Management.
The Advanced Smartscape Irrigation course builds upon the basic Smartscape course by offering in-depth technical training for landscape professionals on the design, installation, maintenance, and management of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems in the Sonoran Desert. The course stresses irrigation efficiency and wise water use in turf and other landscapes. It is encouraged that registrants have a basic working knowledge of drip and/or sprinkler irrigation systems prior to taking this class. The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and the University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension sponsor the program with the mission of increasing water use efficiency in landscapes by providing exceptional training to landscape professionals and educating them regarding the critical role they play in the efficient use of water resources. 
The Advanced Smartscape Irrigation course features 15 hours of quality education from experts in the green industry. The following hands-on activities are included in the course:
- Irrigation audit
- New technologies demonstration
- Smart controller programming
- Wire locating
- Friction loss calculations
- Wire splicing
Presentations will also be made using the latest research-based information regarding sustainable landscaping practices. In a tough economy, such training is valuable to landscaping businesses as competition for customers remains high. Students will receive an Advanced Smartscape training manual and the opportunity to earn 15 credits of Irrigation Association (IA) continuing education units as well as 12 credits of International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) continuing education units. Graduates of the course receive a certificate of completion from the University of Arizona and a chance to market themselves as a Smartscape professional by listing their contact information in the Smartscape Online Directory at www.smartscape.org/directory.
The 2015 Advanced Smartscape Irrigation course starts on Thursday, May 7th, 2015.
Classes will take place on Thursdays, May 7th, 14th, and 21st from 1:00pm to 6:00pm at The University of Arizona, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension office: 4341 East Broadway Road Phoenix, AZ 85040. The registration fee for the course (consisting of 3 classes) is $85. Seats are limited and fill fast, so don’t miss out on this opportunity. Register today!
Registration can be completed online at the program website, www.smartscape.org. Contact Kaitlin Poe-Orsburn, Smartscape Program Coordinator, with any questions or concerns at smartscape@cals.arizona.edu or (602) 827-8206.
From time to time, Water – Use It Wisely features guest bloggers who write about topics related to water and water conservation. Kaitlin Poe-Orsburn is the Program Coordinator for the Maricopa County Smartscape Program. Kaitlin studied Agricultural Education at The University of Arizona and works hard to deliver quality landscape training events that emphasize water use efficiency.