Local writer Rebecca Locklear will present "Know Coast — Shipwrecks and Search & Rescue 1878-1915" on Wednesday at the Downtown Bend Public Library.

Learn more about Central Oregon and its surrounding ecosystem at these talks and lectures this week.

Find out the best vegetables to grow in the High Desert with Oregon State University’s Extension Service. Get pointers from experienced photographers on capturing wildlife. Hear about the economic and environmental impact of oysters in Oregon. And listen to stories of the early days of what would become the U.S. Coast Guard.

Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon

OSU Master Gardeners will teach participants how to grow a successful garden in Central Oregon. The two-hour class covers Central Oregon climate, soil amendments, site selection, season extenders and other techniques. Participants will learn about recommended vegetable varieties and take home OSU’s science-based research, “Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon.”

10 a.m.-noon Saturday; free, registration required; Westside Church and Community Center, 2051 NW Shevlin Park Road, Bend; extension.oregonstate.edu or 541-382-7504.

Wildlife Conservation Photography

The High Desert Museum’s wildlife team is hosting a course for people interested in photographing and learning about the museum’s raptors and other wildlife. Experienced photographers will be around to assist participants and show camera techniques used for portrait-style and action photography. Participants are welcome to explore the fundamentals of their equipment during a preliminary Zoom meeting on Friday at 6:30 pm. See website to register.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; $150, members receive a 20% discount; High Desert Museum, 59800 S. U.S. Highway 97, Bend; highdesertmuseum.org or 541-382-4754.

Know Coast

The Deschutes Public Library will be hosting two speaker events this week as part of its month-long “Know Coast” series, where participants can learn about the ecosystem and history of Oregon’s coast.

The first speaker is Karen McRae, owner of Mother Shuckers food cart at The Podski, who will discuss the global impact — environmentally, economically and at a culinary level — of oysters. McRae grew up fishing local rivers, crabbing and clam digging on the Oregon coast.

Local writer Rebecca Locklear will talk the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which was founded in 1878 and ultimately became today’s Coast Guard, as part of the second installment. Hear stories about what it was like to work at remote stations on our country’s coasts and rescue shipwrecked mariners and passengers.

Oysters 101: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday; free; East Bend Public Library, 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend; deschuteslibrary.org or 541-330-3760.

Shipwrecks and Search & Rescue 1878-1915: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday; free; Downtown Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend; deschuteslibrary.org or 541-617-7050.