Oglebay Institute is pleased to announce it has received a $3000 grant from the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley and its affiliate, the Smith-Goshen Rice Enrichment Fund. These funds will support the REACH Environmental Education Program in Martins Ferry Middle School.
The goal of the REACH Environmental Education program is to help students develop understanding and knowledge of important scientific concepts such as energy flow, matter cycling, biodiversity, ecosystem interrelationships, adaptations for survival and human impact. With an increased understanding of these processes, students gain a stronger awareness of the natural world around them and are more likely to engage in environmentally responsible behaviors.
Through this support, Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center will deliver the REACH program to 100 fifth graders at Martins Ferry Middle School. Each classroom will receive up to seven visits by Schrader Center naturalists and participate in a variety of standards-based, hands-on environmental education programs.
Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
“The REACH program helps create the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Oglebay Institute director of development Micah Underwood. “The program has been ongoing in fifth grade classrooms in Ohio and Marshall counties in West Virginia with extremely positive results. We are thrilled to expand the program into Belmont County through this generous support from the Smith-Goshen Rice Enrichment Fund.”
The Smith-Goshen Rice Enrichment Fund was created in 2013 by a group of landowners along with Rice Energy in Belmont County, Ohio to give back to the community. The fund awards annual grants addressing a variety of needs through a competitive application process.
About Oglebay Institute
Since 1930, the non-profit Oglebay Institute has served as the cultural hub of Wheeling, West Virginia. Oglebay Institute fosters appreciation, expression and discovery by engaging people of all ages and abilities through exceptional programming in performing and visual arts, dance, history and nature. The Institute operates six facilities in the Wheeling area: the Schrader Environmental Education Center, the Mansion Museum, the Glass Museum, the Stifel Fine Arts Center, the School of Dance and Towngate Theatre as well as the Terra Alta Mountain Camp in Preston County, West Virginia. To learn more, visit www.OIonline.com.
About the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
Since 1972, the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley has connected donors who care with causes that matter by making grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life in the Upper Ohio Valley. With assets of more than $34 million, the Foundation assisted in distributing more than $2 million in grants and scholarships during 2015-16. From strengthening community schools to assisting local arts programs, from building health centers to assisting victims of violence or natural disasters, the Community Foundation continues to enhance our region. To learn more, please visit the Foundation online at www.cfov.org.
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Photo: Pictured, front row, left to right, are: Oglebay Institute president Danielle McCracken, Schrader Center director Molly Check and Lova Ebbert, Smith-Goshen Rice Enrichment Fund committee member. In back, left to right, are: Smith-Goshen Rice Enrichment Fund committee members Gabe Hayes, Natalie Brown and Neil Rubel.