The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently named Angela Pierce of Cape Girardeau the winner of the 2015 Outreach and Education Achievement award. Pierce is a naturalist at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center.

Pierce receives this award for her coordination of the Southeast Region’s “Day on the River” event. This annual event attracts more than 2,000 people and helps connect them to the Mississippi River and its importance as habitat and as a natural resource.

“While most people in the area see the Mississippi River, many don’t know much about the history and dynamics of the river. Pierce’s efforts with this event fill this void,” said Sara Turner, MDC manager of the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center. “Coordinating this large event successfully is an achievement by any standard.”

Day on the River typically occurs in early September. However, the nature center has regular programs to help people discover nature all year long.