Nature in the Neighborhood: The Urban Forager’s Fall Harvest

Right in our own backyards, a thriving “Urban Forest” is hiding in plain sight. This course explores the ethnobotany of our immediate surroundings – a resilient mix of native stalwarts, naturalized “immigrants,” and common landscape trees and plants that flourish in Ventura County’s neighborhoods and parks. While many dismiss these species as “weeds” or decorative backdrops, they offer deep historical roots and practical modern utility, reflecting both millennia of Indigenous plant wisdom and the diverse flora brought by settlers from around the world.

We will focus on a “Top 10” list chosen for their fine form in the Fall season, ranging from ancient California Oaks and Buckwheats to the naturalized Wild Fennel and the cultural legacy of trees like Black Walnut and Carob. The first two classes will be classroom slideshow lectures, followed by a final urban foraging walk around campus to verify these hardy plants in their local environment and discover the pharmacy and pantry at our doorsteps.

This OLLI class, taught by me, is offered on three consecutive Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning October 24, continuing on October 30, and ending November 6. The first two classes will be open to in-person or Zoom attendance and will be recorded. The third class will be outdoors with no recording.

Enrollment is now in progress. For more information and registration, please visit OLLI at CSUCI. You may also call (805) 437-2748. I will not be handling any registration or payment for this class.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSUCI is a branch of the Extended University – originally designed for adults over 50 but now open to students of all ages – that offers college-level noncredit courses with no assignments or grades. In their own words, “OLLI at CSUCI is dedicated to enriching the lives of lifelong learners by providing opportunities for intellectual stimulation and social connection designed for adults aged 50 and above. We foster a love of learning through university-level courses, social & educational activities, and special events.”