Educational events, workshops and talks in Central Oregon this week

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Central Oregon has several opportunities for community members to grasp useful skills and knowledge at local and virtual events this week.

Learn how to weld, grow a successful garden in Central Oregon, about bullfrog removal, desert owls and why estate planning is important.

D&D Teen Workshop — Character Creation

This workshop explores how to use and apply the new 5.5e Player Handbook, which contains rules for character creation and advancements in the roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons. All skill levels are welcome, beginners to veterans. All materials will be provided, including handbooks.

Thursday 4 p.m.; East Bend Public Library, 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend; facebook.com/events/510883268640352 or 541-330-3760.

Growing Vegetables in Central Oregon — Madras

Oregon State University 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.”

Saturday 1-3 p.m.; free; COCC Community Room, 1170 E. Ashwood Road, Madras; extension.oregonstate.edu.

Practical Welding For Ranch and Farm

Learn to build small projects, fix stuff and “farmer weld” on your property in this three-session program. Classes will be held in small groups, with a maximum of six, in a professional welder’s shop.

Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; $435; School of Ranch, 7766 Costanoan St., Powell Butte; schoolofranch.org

Natural History Pub — Bullfrog Removal in the Little Deschutes River

Join Jodi Wilmoth, owner of 3 Rivers Environmental and consultant for projects in the Deschutes River Basin, to learn how she and other scientists are working to eliminate bullfrogs and conserve the Oregon spotted frog.

The American bullfrog is one of the most problematic invasive species worldwide. Since its introduction in the U.S. West in the 1930s, it has spread throughout many of Oregon’s waters and wetlands, including the Little Deschutes River. With the Oregon spotted frog now listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, bullfrog removal from the Deschutes Basin has become a priority.

Monday 7-8 p.m.; free, seating is limited and RSVP is required; McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend; highdesertmuseum.org or 541-382-5174.

A Year in the Life — Oregon’s Desert Owls

Paul Bannick, author and wildlife photographer, will go through the four seasons in the lives of High Desert owls to give a better appreciation of what they need to survive and thrive in each season. Learn about their habitat, life histories and the urgent conservation challenges they face.

This talk kicks off Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2025 High Desert Speaker Series.

Tuesday 6-7 p.m.; free, virtual; onda.org.

Script Your Future — Why You Need an Estate Plan

This is a discussion from a panel of experts in estate planning with opportunities for questions and answer. Learn about wills, trusts, powers of attorney and advance directives as well as what makes them important.

Wednesday noon-1 p.m.; free, light lunch provided; Partners in Care, 2611 NE Courtney Drive, Bend; partnersbend.org or 541-706-1335.