The Deer Creek Watershed Alliance has been successful because of the contributions of many different organizations and individuals; however, there is one individual who has made a lasting contribution to the Alliance that was recognized when she was awarded a Certificate of Excellence at the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Annual Meeting on May 20, 2014 at Mary Institute and Country Day School (MICDS).

Cindy Gilberg served as Project Horticulturalist for the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance from 2009 to 2014. Through her work at Shaw Nature Reserve, Cindy developed a solid expertise in native plant landscaping as well as rainscaping (landscaping for stormwater management), and shared this knowledge with many, including the Alliance. Her passion for rainscaping and her ability to educate others about how to implement rainscaping techniques in their own yards, both in oral presentations and in written articles, was unparalleled. As a member of the Garden Writers of America, she wrote native plant columns for the Gateway Gardener, Kansas City Gardener, and The Healthy Planet, in addition to occasional submissions to other publications.

Cindy was extensively involved in ornamental horticulture in St. Louis for over 35 years, as owner of a garden center, as coordinator of horticultural industry educational programs, and as an educator around the region. She received her B.S. in horticulture, with a minor in botany, from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

Cindy Gilberg passed away on June 30, 2014, after a long and brave battle with ovarian cancer. She will be sorely missed.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, President of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Becca Gilberg, Daughter of Cindy Gilberg accepting the award on her behalf, and Mr. Rick Holton, Chairman of the Deer Creek Watershed Steering Committee. Photo by Dale Dufer.

Pictured from left to right: Jean Ponzi, Green Resources Manager at EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Karla Wilson, Manager of Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, Becca Gilberg, Daughter of Cindy Gilberg, Stacy Arnold, Watershed Coordinator of Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, Deborah Frank, Director of Deer Creek Watershed Alliance and VP of Sustainability at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and Katherine Brown, RainScape Rebates Program Assistant. Photo by Dale Dufer.