What are Herb Walks?

“We are constantly walking on herbs, the virtues of which no one knows.” - Chumash tradition**

Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer are interpretive walks and hikes with an emphasis on edible and medicinal plants, those classified as “herbs” for their culinary and medicinal properties. The primary focus of Herb Walks is to learn to positively identify native plants in their natural habitats, something that cannot be done accurately with books, photos and web images alone.

We also venture into the field of ethnobotany, discussing the plants’ native and traditional uses for food, home remedies, botanical medicine, survival, wildcrafting, foraging, landscaping, camping, crafts, ceremony and more. Birds and other wildlife are identified and discussed when they make an appearance.

Herb Walks are a great way to discover the many wonderful trails in the Ojai Valley and Ventura and Santa Barbara counties of Southern California. We also offer occasional Herb Walk ‘n’ Rolls for those in wheelchairs. Hands-on Herbal Workshops are a new addition this year.

So check the Calendar and plan to walk, hike or roll with us from the seashore, up the wooded creeks, across the chaparral slopes, and into the pine-forested mountains. Use the Register for an Event link to sign up right now!

Shorter walks of less than 1 mile each way are called “Herb Walks” on the Calendar. Longer hikes of more than 1 mile each way or that include moderately difficult creek crossings or significant elevation gain are titled “Herb Hikes.” Walks on ADA-accessible trails are called “Herb Walk ‘n’ Rolls.”

You can use the Join the Mailing List link on this page to sign up now for the email list and be among the first to learn about new events.

**Hudson, Travis, Ed. 1979. Breath of the Sun: Life in Early California as Told by a Chumash Indian, Fernando Librado, to John P. Harrington. Malki Museum Press, Morongo Indian Reservation, Banning, California.

November 2011 Herb Walks in Horn Canyon with Julie Tumamait-Stenslie

In November 2011 we presented two Herb Walks with special guest Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, Chumash educator and tribal leader. The response was overwhelming. As a result we plan to do more events together in 2012.

After we identified the Southern California Black Walnut tree along the trail, Julie (pictured) demonstrated the Chumash game played with pieces made from walnut shell halves filled with asphaltum and decorated with abalone shell.

Julie also spoke at length about the stately oaks and their central role in Chumash life.