Jim Hyde of IRWD's Water Quality Department, on the left and Christian Kessler of IRWD's Water Resources Department, assist students with their science fair questions at the annual Ask-a-Scientist Night at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School. The science fair will be held in March. IRWD Water Quality professionals will be among the judges.

NMI Announces Winners of the 2010 New Media Awards – Website Awards Competition
A Global Evolution of Online Communications, Strategies and Quality

October 25, 2010 - New York, NY -- The New Media Institute’s 2010 New Media Awards Competition has concluded its judging process and has announced 24 winners in this year’s website awards competition.

“It is our pleasure to recognize excellence in online communications. Awards recipients ranged from local to global with a diverse assortment of purpose, all exhibiting exuberant creativity in their use of new media as a form of communication,” said Barbara Eber-Schmid, Executive Vice President of the New Media Institute, who holds the annual New Media Awards. “Each year, we see a substantial increase in the number and quality of entries – providing a gratifying challenge for the judges.” 

 Winners of the 2010 New Media Awards can be found on the New Media Awards website:  http://www.newmediaawards.org/websiteawards/2010/website_awards_winners.html   

 About the New Media Awards – Website Awards Competition
The New Media Awards is an annual competition celebrating excellence in online communications.  Websites are judged based on how well they serve their audience, considering the overall user experience, ease of navigation, content and design. 

 About the New Media Institute
The mission of the New Media Institute (NMI) is to promote excellence in new media communications and improve public understanding of communications strategies and issues surrounding the Internet and other forms new media communications.  NMI works directly with the news media, researchers, academics, government and industry professionals and serves as a primary resource of facts, statistics and analysis. 

The New Media Institute has selected the Irvine Ranch Water District’s newly redesigned website, http://www.irwd.com as one of 24 winners in this year’s 2010 New Media Award competition. The District was recognized as the Best in Industry for the Government Utility Category.

The annual New Media Awards celebrate excellence in online communications.  Websites are judged based on how well they serve their audience, the overall user experience, ease of navigation, content and design.   “The New Media Institute is proud to recognize irwd.com with a Best in Industry Award for demonstrating their superior use of new media communications.  The Irvine Ranch Water District did a fantastic job of developing a website with an excellent user experience, rich content geared towards its audience and an aesthetically appealing design,” announced Barbara Eber-Schmid, EVP, New Media Institute upon presenting the award.

“We are proud to receive this recognition," said Paul Jones, IRWD General Manager. "The award recognizes the advances we have made in providing timely and relevant information to our customers. We look forward to continually improving the site and finding new and innovative ways to engage our customers, stakeholders and the media.”

IRWD’s newly redesigned website features current technology to make it easier for customers to use. Whether they are paying a bill, getting a question answered or learning more about water conservation, the site is designed to be customer-friendly and easy to navigate. In addition, the website makes it convenient to connect with IRWD via social media.  IRWD, known for innovation in water use efficiency, allocation based conservation rate structures and in use of recycled water, utilizes the new website to increase transparency by providing current, robust, and educational information on the District's programs and practices.

Also recognized was IRWD’s web design and development firm, Evolve Media.  To explore IRWD’s award-winning website, please visit www.irwd.com.  The award can be viewed by clicking on the following link:  http://www.newmediaawards.org/websiteawards/2010/irwd.html.

About Irvine Ranch Water District

Established in 1961 as a California Water District, IRWD provides drinking water, sewage collection and treatment, recycled water, and urban runoff treatment to Central Orange County, California. IRWD encompasses nearly 181 square miles extending from the Pacific coast to the foothills. The District serves the City of Irvine and portions of the Cities of Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Newport Beach, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange and unincorporated Orange County. As an independent public agency, IRWD is governed by a five-member, publicly elected board of directors. These officials are responsible for the District’s policies and decision making while day-to-day operations are supervised by the general manager and his staff. 

All about Evolve Media

Evolve Media is a strategic crossmedia solutions agency. Whether it’s print or interactive, they deliver a rare blend of imaginative design, grounded in a rich understanding of strategic objectives and business requirements and combine it with deep technology expertise. With expertise in emerging and traditional markets, experience working with blue chip and new chip companies, and the support of a multitalented team, Evolve Media has been partnering with clients across North America and abroad for over 16 years, interested in building their brand and online presence.

About the New Media Awards

The New Media Awards is an annual competition, held by the New Media Institute, celebrating excellence in online communications. Websites are judged based on how well they serve their audience, considering the overall user experience, ease of navigation, content and design. Unlike many Web Awards competitions, winners are not selected based solely on design, but rather on how well they are using technology to serve and communicate to their audience. The award is given to sites that excel in both creating and engaging with an online community. 

To explore IRWD’s award-winning website, please visit www.irwd.com.

The Sea and Sage Audubon Society will host its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, October 30 from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the San Joaquin Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. The charge is $10 for adults and $6 for children 10 and under. Children under age three are free.

As a reminder, the entry to the event is off of Campus Drive as the Michelson Drive entry is closed because of construction.

The menu is pancakes and sausages hot off the griddle, orange juice, fresh fruit, coffee and milk. This year will feature something a little extra – bird walks are scheduled both before and after breakfast. Bring your binoculars or stop at one of several spotting scope stations to see the birds up close at the ponds.

An education table will feature exhibits of art projects made at summer camp. Near the Audubon House, Wild Birds Unlimited will have a table with bird seed, feeders and other items and will answer any questions about how to attract birds to your yard, where to place feeders and bird baths.

At the Audubon House, check out the taxidermy birds on display and browse through the gift shop and book store.

Please call (949) 261-7963 for information, or visit www.seaandsageaudubon.org. Click here for the detour map.