The Living Green Lecture Series helps consumers find simple ways to improve the health of the environment and their families. Topics include green consumerism, the benefits of organic foods, green building materials, renewable energy, creating backyard habitats, recycling and composting.

Presented by environmental science experts from throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, programs take place at 2 p.m. on the last Sunday of each month in January, February, March, April, August, September and October.

Each program is free and open to the public and includes a coffee reception, following the lecture, for further discussion of the topic.

Click here for 2010 schedule.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Learn how to tap maples and enjoy a pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup- straight from the Oglebay sugar bush- at the Schrader Center’s annual Maple Sugaring Day.

Taking place every March, this event is a great way to celebrate early spring and get rid of those winter blues.

Hikers enjoy this hands-on experience tapping trees, collecting sap, making syrup and learning the history of maple sugaring. The hike begins in the woods behind Oglebay Park’s Camp Russell and ends at the Schrader Center with a pancake breakfast.

Nature guides take groups along the trail to learn different methods of maple sugaring including methods used by Native Americans and early American pioneers. Modern 20th century and current pipeline techniques also are demonstrated and discussed.

Each summer the Schrader Center offers nature programming that is educational, inexpensive and fun for the whole family. Activities include guided nature walks, stargazing, evening campfires and more.

Continuing the tradition begun in 1926 by naturalist A.B. Brooks, morning nature walks take guests through the trails of Oglebay to learn to identify various types of birds, trees and wildflowers.

Evening campfires promote camaraderie in a natural setting through singing, story telling and marshmallow roasting.

“Astronomy in the Park” is a great way to observe, discuss and learn about the night sky from local astronomy experts. Guests enjoy deep space observing at the Speidel Observatory and through several telescopes set up on the front lawn.

Summer programs take place from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Visit the calendar of events for details.

Family-oriented and fun for all ages, lectures and workshops are held throughout the year at the Schrader Center and cover a variety of nature topics. Programs are help on select evenings and weekends. Recent programs include:

-Nature Facts and Folklore
-The Life of a Squirrel
-Hiking the Appalachian Trail
-The Eastern Cougar:  What is real and what is not real.
-Traditional Mountain Music of West Virginia
-Bird Watching 101
-Gourmet Game: Venison with Chef Rocco

Visit the online class catalog for quarterly updates.