The Irrigation Foundation has named Claire Ehrlinger, CIT, from MiraCosta College in Oceanside, California, the recipient of the 2017 Excellence in Education Award, which will be presented at the 2017 Irrigation Show and Education Conference.

The Excellence in Education Award recognizes a current or past educator of agriculture or landscape irrigation, water management and/or water conservation at a two- or four-year institution.

Ehrlinger is the lead instructor in MiraCosta College's horticulture department, which offers associate degrees in landscape architecture, landscape management, and nursery/horticulture crop production, and certificates in the same programs plus irrigation technology, landscape assistant, and wine and viticulture technology.

She was introduced to irrigation at the IA Faculty Academy in 2004, and has since joined the IA as a lifetime technical member. Ehrlinger has served as an Irrigation Foundation Board of Trustee and has volunteered with the Faculty Academy planning task group. She has recently worked with the San Diego County Water Authority to train professionals and homeowners in water conservation.

As part of the award, Ehrlinger will receive education classes at the Irrigation Show and a travel award to cover expenses.

For more information on past winners or to nominate someone for the Excellence in Education Award, visit www.irrigationfoundation.org.

To learn more about or register for the Irrigation Show, held November 6-10 in Orlando, Florida, visit www.irrigation.org.