By News Reporter Gabby Cedano
Jeffers Bend Environmental Center is preparing for another active year filled with community events, outdoor programs and major additions to the property.
Located at 1170 Metcalfe Lane, the center has grown steadily since opening in 1997. Charles Turner from Jeffers Bend says what began with just a few buildings has expanded to 14, thanks to years of generous local support.
Turner says the lake has become a centerpiece of many of the meaningful experiences created at Jeffers Bend. Turner shared the story of a woman who fulfilled her lifelong wish to canoe during NatureFest, despite having to use an oxygen tank. Her family later expressed gratitude that she was able to experience something she had dreamed about for years.
Another lasting memory came from a four-year-old boy who first learned to fish at Jeffers Bend during Take Kids Fishing, the center’s first major event of the year. Turner says that small moment eventually led him to the Murray State University Fishing Team, national competitions in Washington, D.C., coaching at Christian County High School and later a career in ministry.
Turner says Jeffers Bend will again host its full slate of seasonal programs throughout the year.
Take Kids Fishing officially opens the season May 23 at Jeffers Bend. Each year, the event gives children a chance to learn the basics of fishing, enjoy the outdoors and create early memories on the lake.
The center’s major fundraising effort, “Benefit for the Bend” will return this year on June 20. Turner says the annual goal is to raise $30,000, which helps support maintenance, educational programming and improvements across the property. The fundraiser continues to be one of the most important sources of support for the center’s growing list of community activities.
The Hummingbird Festival has grown into one of the center’s most beloved events and will be on August 22. Turner says he initially believed few people would be interested in hummingbirds until he discovered how many families watch them closely throughout the summer. NatureFest remains the center’s biggest event, which will be held September 19. It draws around 40 presenters and continues to be the one where children always request more animal exhibits.
Torchlight Tales, held October 17, consistently brings hundreds of visitors eager to hear storyteller William T. Turner recount local legends, including the Bell Witch story from Adams, Tennessee. The year concludes with Christmas at the Bend on December 5, led by Diane Croney Turner, which includes visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a large handmade Christmas card initiative for nursing home residents. Last year, Turner says more than 1,500 cards were delivered across Christian, Trigg and Todd counties.
The center also might expand its offerings with new projects. Turner says Margaret and Peter McDonald of the Jeffers Bend Steering Committee have proposed hosting a storytelling festival. A meeting scheduled for March 4 will determine whether the event will move forward.
This year, Turner says they hope to have a new community garden that will give residents a shared space to grow produce and learn gardening skills. There are also plans to build a natural playground, designed with low-to-the-ground structures made of nature-inspired materials, that will provide a safe and environmentally blended play area for children.
As Jeffers Bend prepares for another full year, Turner says their mission to create meaningful outdoor experiences, expand environmental education and keep the community connected through nature, remains unchanged.