HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A lake, garden spaces, hiking trail, and vast greenspaces occupy the unique property of Jeffers Bend Environmental Center. Their operation consists of 1800’s farmhouses and historical buildings tucked in a 50-acre space owned by Hopkinsville Water Environmental Authority.
Charles Turner, RC&D Coordinator and volunteer at Jeffers Bend, is one of many individuals who helped establish the center back in 1998. The facility was named after Hopkinsville’s first female mayor, Sherry Jeffers, and the Jeffers Bend Steering committee was soon established. He has seen the continued growth of the area over the years, eventually joining the team after he retired in 2011.
“Staff is defined as someone paid, so we have a half a staff,” said Turner jokingly when asked about their workload and employees. A team of volunteers commit their time maintaining the environmental center and providing the community with a unique natural reserve to be proud of.
It was pointed out by Mary Lee Norfleet, a Master Gardener and fellow volunteer, that Turner is overwhelmingly humble about his day-to-day contributions, “It’s a team effort but Charles does more work than anybody, and he just silently does all of this,” said Norfleet.
Surrounded by nature
Norfleet and Turner both agree the three-mile hiking trail draws the most people daily. This nature dense walking area is a great place to discover unique wildlife, with the bird observatory also located nearby. Different Christian County Master Gardener’s volunteer each week, working to coordinate blooms to properly fill multiple garden beds, but the crowning jewel is the botanical garden.
Their vast knowledge of pollinators and Kentucky native plants has resulted in beautiful, diverse plants that attract the intended butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Wild ginger, native hydrangeas, bee balm, roses, and dozens more are intentionally planted to become a haven for these bugs.
“Weeds grow faster than people can work,” said Norfleet while busying herself in the garden and carefully peeling back petals on her favorite plants to reveal hidden pollinators. In this garden, every bloom matters with selective weeds being kept in place if it provides a good landing spot for pollinators. As summer months approach, the garden is already fully alive, with the children’s garden expected to fill out soon as well.
Work of volunteers and events
Turner’s focus lies on the behind-the-scenes duties, maintaining the trail, mowing, picking up litter, and supplying needed small fixes as they arise, along with coordinating field trips and events to the center.
During events, upwards of 80 volunteers come out. Take Kids Fishing Day has been a Hopkinsville staple since 1999, with this year’s event coming up May 25. The summer also holds their biggest fundraiser Benefit for the Bend, with their Hummingbird Festival and Naturefest wrapping up the season. These events give them the opportunity to engage with the public, especially with youth who hasn’t visited before.
“Even though Hopkinsville and Christian County is considered a rural area, a lot of these kids never have the opportunity to explore nature,” Turner told Christian County Now. In addition to these major events, they frequently host workshops and field trips for local schools.
They are always looking for more volunteers and look to the community to help provide funding. Find out about volunteer opportunities, how to donate, and information about upcoming events on the Jeffers Bend Environmental Center website.
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