WHEELING — Despite unseasonably colder temperatures Thursday, Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Center offered morning and afternoon nature walks at two different locations as part of its Earth Day celebration.

Walkers learned a little about the history of the Schrader Center, and also had the opportunity to identify and learn about wildflowers, trees, birds, animal tracks and other aspects of nature. They got that chance either during an early morning walk along the looping trails behind the center in Oglebay Park, or an afternoon hike at Bear Rock Lakes wildlife management area just east of The Highlands.

Geared up with a backpack, Schrader Center Assistant Director Joelle Bensie said the center offers a nature walk every year for Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22. Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement that was first celebrated in 1970.

“We like to talk about the trails and the history of it with A.B. Brooks,” said Bensie. Alonso Beecher “A.B.” Brooks was West Virginia’s first game warden and best known for promoting nature education as a naturalist for Oglebay Park.

The Schrader Center also hosted an afternoon nature walk with Naturalist Chase Byrne, who led a small group around the Bear Rock Lakes. Managed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, the 242-acre Bear Rock lake area offers a looped hiking trail for any nature enthusiast. Byrne said Bear Rock provides a nice mixture of lakes and forest areas.

“It’s a little bit of a chilly day … but I hope to find some spring wildflowers,” Byrne explained while leading the group of participants through a wooded area near the lakes. “Also, we’re starting to get migrating birds in the area. I actually just saw a yellow-throated warbler for the first time this year.”

Glen Dale resident Mark Wilson said the nature walk provided a good opportunity to participate in an interesting outdoor activity during the pandemic.

“I haven’t been out to the lake here for a number of years,” said Wilson, who said he enjoys trout fishing in area streams.

A field natural history class from West Liberty University also congregated behind the Schrader Center Thursday morning as part of a bird-watching activity for the class.

Associate Professor of Biology Zac Loughman said it was kind of nice for the class to actually visit Oglebay Park on Earth Day.

“We’re all stewards of the earth in this class — so Earth Day is a very special day to us,” Loughman commented.