Foraging & Firemaking with Christopher Nyerges
2026-02-28 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Euterpe Farms “tienda”, 587 S. Rice Road, Ojai, CA, 93023, United States
Foraging & Firemaking with Christopher Nyerges

Christopher demonstrating primitive firemaking at a previous Ojai workshop. Photo: Lanny Kaufer

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REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT (2/27/26)

Join me and renowned author/forager/survivalist Christopher Nyerges on Saturday, February 28, at Euterpe Farms in Ojai for an outdoor Foraging & Firemaking workshop. This workshop is based on Christopher’s many books, including Foraging California and How to Survive Anywhere.

Participants will:

learn to identify edible, medicinal, and useful plants and mushrooms

forage wild foods for our meal

learn the 4 basic principles of making fire and practice 2 or 3 ways of matchless firestarting

learn and practice hand drill firemaking

try bow drill firemaking with Christopher’s kit

enjoy a foraged meal cooked over a campfire

process acorns and/or black walnuts for eating, time permitting

The workshop will begin with a morning foraging walk among the native plants on the fringes of Euterpe Farms, bordering the Ventura River Preserve. The afternoon workshop will take place in a grassy area. Everyone will have a chance to participate in all activities.

After the workshop, Christopher and I will have our mobile bookstores on display, including copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs ofCalifornia, and several of Christopher’s many books, available for sale and signing.

Christopher Nyerges is an author, forager, survivalist and ethnobotanist with a lifelong interest in how native peoples lived off the land. He has been teaching classes and leading field trips since 1974 to over 40,000 students. Nyerges has authored nearly two dozen books, including Foraging California, How to Survive Anywhere, Guide to Wild Foods, Nuts and Berries of California, Extreme Simplicity, and many others. Chicago Review Press, the publishers of the late Larry Dean Olsen’s Outdoor Survival Skills, asked Christopher to lightly edit the 7th edition of that classic book and add color photos and a new foreword.

Christopher was the editor of American Survival Guide magazine and served as editor of Wilderness Way magazine for 7 years. He has written several thousand newspaper and magazine articles in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star News, Pasadena Weekly, Whole Life Times, Countryside, Mother Earth News, Acres USA, American Survival Guide, and others.

He has appeared on the late Huell Howser’s public television series on California, KCET’s “Life and Times,” and National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers.” For two years, he appeared on Fox TV’s “X Show,” where he demonstrated survival skills on the streets of Los Angeles. He currently serves as a consultant to the “Naked and Afraid” show on Discovery. Christopher Nyerges’ web site is SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.

REGISTRATION INFO:Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info, including weather forecast and parking directions, a few days prior to the workshop. They also will receive a follow-up email afterwards with a list of all plants identified and used, recipes, and more.

The cost for the workshop, including all materials, is $85 for adults and $45 for children under 18 (one per adult). Please use the REGISTER link at top and bottom of this page to sign up before clicking on the PayPal button. Please note: online payment includes PayPal fees. If you prefer to mail a check, please let me know when you register.

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT (2/27/26)

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

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TICKETS

If you haven’t already up above, please REGISTER FIRST before completing payment below.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $85/adult or $45/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.

MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.Cancellation policy: We will refund your payment if you notify us up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that we will make every effort to fill your space but cannot guarantee it.

March Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike
2026-03-03 17:00 - 19:30
March Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike

Photo of full moon over Ojai, March, 2022 by Judy Cheske

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Please join me and Rondia on Tuesday evening, March 3, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. for a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike. The March full moon will rise at approximately 90º due east as the sun sets approximately due west. This phenomenon of opposing moonrise and sunset occurs only near the spring and fall equinoxes.
We’ll gradually walk about 1.5 miles on a well-used dirt road with gradual elevation gain to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the sunset and moonrise.
Then we’ll walk back by flashlight and partial moonlight, returning to the trailhead around 7:30 p.m.
On the way up in remaining daylight, we’ll stop along the trail to meet some valuable edible and medicinal plants, including:
Blue ElderberryCoastal SagebrushPrickly-Pear CactusHorehoundBlack Sage andPurple Sage
My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, will be available at the trailhead for sale and signing.
Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email a few days prior to the event with all necessary info, including what to bring, weather forecast, and directions to the trailhead. Afterwards, they also will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen.
In addition to the adult tickets ($35), tickets for students 13-17 ($25) and children 6-12 ($15) are offered below. One supervising adult must accompany each child 12 years old or younger. Senior discount is available by request.
No dogs or smoking, please.
MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.
MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

TICKETS

If you haven’t already up above, please REGISTER FIRST before completing payment below.

There are several ticket options. Please choose the one you qualify for.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $35/adult, $25/student, or $15/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

Native Plant Walk with Patrick Tumamait for LPFW Forest Academy
2026-03-07 09:00 - 11:30
Native Plant Walk with Patrick Tumamait for LPFW Forest Academy

Join me and Chumash elder/culturalist Patrick Tumamait as we venture along Shelf Road, a trail bordering Los Padres National Forest that offers sweeping views of the valley. Explore Chumash history, the name Awhai for the valley, and the cultural significance of native plants and all of nature. Participants will learn to identify local species and explore their uses.

This walk is part one of the Forest Academy, Los Padres ForestWatch’s four-part Flora & Fauna learning series. You can join this one outing or all four!

Patrick Tumamait

🌿 Learn more and register: forestwatch.org/event/native-plant-walk

Patrick Tumamait is the son of Vincent Tumamait & Lucy Castro Tumamait. He grew up in the Ojai Valley and still lives in the Meiners Oaks neighborhood near the birthplace of his great, great grandmother, Maria Ricarda Alulalmeque, who was raised in the Chumash village of Matilija. Pat has traced his family lineage from his father to at least 11 known Chumash villages and as far back as the mid-18th century.

Pat works as a native Chumash representative monitoring excavation sites from Malibu to Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands, part of that in consultation with archeologists in the event of any findings. He sees that everything is handled appropriately according to protocol.

“The culture and the people are still alive. Our life entails protecting the cultural history and ancestry of our people, having people recognize the past as a legacy to our future. Protection and awareness so that we can share it with others and preserve it for the future generations to come.”

Herb Walk on San Antonio Creek Trail
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:30 | Tucker’s Grove County Park, 4800 Cathedral Oaks Rd., Goleta, CA, 93111, United States
Herb Walk on San Antonio Creek Trail

Lanny grazing in the grass along San Antonio Creek. Photo by James Wapotich

3/14/26 Registration is now closed for this event.

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I’m honored to share that I am officially in my 50th year of leading Herb Walks in Ojai, Santa Barbara, and the surrounding areas! 🌿

To celebrate this anniversary, I’m returning to where it all began. On Saturday, March 14, I’ll be leading a walk on the San Antonio Creek Trail—the very same trail where I attended a plant walk in 1974 with the legendary Chumash expert, the late Juanita Centeno. I became her student and when I started leading walks in 1976, she joined me in Ojai to co-lead walks and workshops.

During Saturday’s walk, I’ll be focusing on Juanita’s teachings regarding the plants’ uses and the Chumash way of respecting nature’s gifts. We’ll look for Black Sage, Hummingbird Sage, Wild Rose, Miner’s-Lettuce, and more. It’s a chance to slow down, identify the food and medicine growing around us, and honor the lineage of this knowledge.

San Antonio Creek. Photo by James Wapotich

Trailside discussion will include sustainable foraging, edible and medicinal plant uses, native plant gardens, and other topics generated by the participants. This slow-paced walk is suitable for all hikers able to walk less than 2 miles round-trip on a level trail and stand for periods of time. Participants will receive an email afterwards with a plant list (including common and scientific names) and other useful notes.

No dogs or smoking, please.

Before the walk, I will have my mobile bookstore on display, including copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, available for sale and signing. Walk with me on the first Santa Barbara area walk of 2026 as I celebrate 50 years of leading herb walks!

Registration

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

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Tickets

If you haven’t already up above, please REGISTER FIRST before completing payment below.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $35/adult, $25/student, or $15/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.

MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

Spring Equinox Walkabout at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve
2026-03-21 09:00 - 12:00 | Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, Ojai, CA, 93023, United States
Spring Equinox Walkabout at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve

Four Directions Circle on Taft Nature Preserve. Photo by Alexandra Nicklin:
Please note: This event is presented by the Conservation Endowment Fund (CEF), stewards of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve. They are handling all registrations. Please visit this page to register. You can email taftgardensvisitors@gmail.com with any questions. Admission to the walkabout is $45/person which includes a $10 donation to CEF.
Registrants will receive an email from CEF with detailed directions. Please do not try to find the venue by using other maps or GPS. Allow plenty of time to find the venue and to make your way up the miles-long driveway.
Please join me for a Spring Equinox Walkabout at Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve on Saturday, March 21, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Walkabout” is an Australian term for a temporary return to traditional Aboriginal life, taken especially between periods of work or residence in modern society and usually involving a period of travel through the bush. That is what I have planned for us in observance of the Spring Equinox, although for a much shorter time than the traditional Australian journey and as a group instead of solo.
Long before St. Patrick and Christianity arrived in Ireland, the ancient Celts celebrated the Spring Equinox with a festival known as Ostara. This festival was a celebration of the end of winter and the start of the spring season. We will honor that “pagan” tradition as well.
Our walkabout will begin in the Australian section of the Gardens and make its way through the wild plant communities in the Nature Preserve to the Four Directions Circle, a replica of a Native American medicine wheel on a mesa with a 360 degree view. There we will interact with the stone compass as we connect with the annual solar cycle and our own ancestral origins somewhere on Planet Earth.
As we do on all my monthly Natural History walks at the Taft Ranch, we will identify and discuss useful plants and observe birds and animal signs in the context of the local ecology. My intention is to create a space for people to connect and interact with the natural world by learning the language of nature.
No dogs or smoking, please.
MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.
ABOUT TAFT GARDENS & NATURE PRESERVE:A project of the nonprofit Conservation Endowment Fund, Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve was described for years as one of Ojai’s best-kept secrets. Not anymore! This botanical gem was featured 2022 in an L. A. Times article on “The 16 Most Beautiful and Inviting Public Gardens in Southern California” and also included in the RedBook Magazine list of “The 12 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the United States.”
ABOUT LANNY KAUFER:Lanny Kaufer of HerbWalks.com is celebrating 50 years of leading herb walks in 2026. He has been leading herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties since 1976, educating hundreds of residents and visitors on the edible and medicinal flora of the area. He holds a biology degree from UC Santa Cruz and is the author of Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants (Falcon Guides, 2021). Copies will be available for sale and signing after the walkabout.
Lanny hosts the Ojai Herbal Symposium, returning to Krotona Hill in Ojai as the Ojai Herbal Retreat on May 30, 2026. He is on the faculty of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Channel Islands. He serves as consultant on medicinal plants for the Chumash Garden at the Ojai Valley Museum and at Swimmer Medicinal Garden in Playa Vista, CA.

Wheeler Gorge Nature Hike
2026-03-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Maricopa Plaza for caravan to trailhead, 1207 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai, CA, 93023, United States
Wheeler Gorge Nature Hike & Optional After-Party

3/29/26: Registration is closed for this event.

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Please join me on Sunday, March 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (including 20 minutes drive time each way) for a plant identification hike on the Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail, a special place just 9 miles up scenic Highway 33 from Ojai. The trail loop is less than 1 mile long but features two distinct plant communities.
Starting in the riparian habitat along a rushing mountain stream under a canopy of shade trees, we’ll climb over the saddle into the sunny chaparral with long views of the surrounding mountains. There is a diversity of native plants to identify while demonstrating and discussing their many uses by foragers, herbalists, and naturalists for food, herbal medicine, first aid, home remedies, survival, crafts, ceremony and more.
This time of year we can expect to find Coast Live Oak, White Alder, Mugwort, California Blackberry, Chamise, Black Sage, Woolly Blue Curls, Yerba Santa, and Chaparral Currant, among many others. Poison Oak will also be identified (and avoided). Participants will receive an email afterwards with a plant list (including common and scientific names) and other useful notes.

Trailside discussion will include sustainable foraging, Chumash plant uses, and other topics generated by the participants. This is designated as a “nature hike” rather than an “herb walk” because the trail includes a couple of short but steep stretches of rocky footing. Good balance and hiking shoes are required.
We will meet at Maricopa Plaza parking lot in Ojai at 8:45 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. caravan/carpool to the trailhead. We’ll hike for two hours beginning at 9:30 and ending at approximately 11:30, putting you back at Maricopa Plaza by 12 noon if you wish to head straight back.
The After-Party: Let me know if you’d like to join an optional after-party in the picnic area outside the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center on the way back to town. We can gather with our sack lunches and hang out with like-minded folks. We can even build a campfire if it’s a chilly day. Fun in the forest!
Before the walk, at the caravan meeting place, I will have my mobile bookstore on display, including copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, available for sale and signing. The Visitor Center also carries it.
The cost of the hike for all ages of participants is $25. Please email me if you have questions about bringing children.
No dogs or smoking, please.
This event in the Los Padres National Forest is presented by Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer under a Special Use Permit from the U. S. Forest Service for wilderness outfitters and guides. Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer is an equal opportunity service provider.
My Cancellation Policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.
My Weather Policy: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

Registration

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

TICKETS

Please be sure to REGISTER above before completing payment to secure your space.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $25/person.Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

Full Pink Moon Nature Hike
2026-04-01 17:30 - 20:00
Full Pink Moon Nature Hike

The Pink Phlox moon of April

4/1/26: REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT

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On Wednesday evening, April 1, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Rondia and I will lead a Full Pink Moon Nature Hike to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the nearly simultaneous sunset and moonrise. Both will happen around 7:20 p.m. The April full moon is the closest to the Spring Equinox (March 20) so the moonrise and sunset will appear opposite each other at about the same time.
SPOILER: The moon will not actually appear pink as pictured in the fanciful image above. The name comes from the bright pink wildflowers of the Phlox family, like our local Prickly Phlox (Linanthus californicus), that are native to North America and bloom around the time of April’s full moon.
Prickly Phlox (Linanthus californicus)
We’ll meet at the trailhead at 5:15 p.m. for a 5:30 p.m. start, then gradually hike about 1.5 miles to the viewing site, experiencing some elevation gain on a well-worn, dirt fire road with uneven footing in places. Along the way we’ll stop to meet some valuable edible and medicinal plants, including:
Black & Purple SageBlue ElderberryCoastal SagebrushPassionflowerPrickly-Pear andHorehound
We’ll also identify Poison Oak and look for Prickly Phlox.
After witnessing the sunset and moonrise, we’ll walk back to the trailhead by remaining daylight, moonlight, and flashlight, returning to the trailhead at about 8:00 p.m. I will have copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, for sale and signing before and after the hike.
Heavy rain or chance of thunderstorms will cancel event.
If there is interest we can meet up afterwards at Ojai Valley Brewery for an after-party.
My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, will be available at the trailhead for sale and signing.
Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email a few days prior to the event with all necessary info, including what to bring, weather forecast, and directions to the trailhead. Afterwards, they also will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen.
In addition to the adult tickets ($35), tickets for students 13-17 ($25) and children 6-12 ($15) are offered below. One supervising adult must accompany each child 12 years old or younger. Senior discount is available by request.
No dogs or smoking, please.
MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.
MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

TICKETS

If you haven’t already up above, please REGISTER FIRST before completing payment below.

There are several ticket options. Please choose the one you qualify for.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $35/adult, $25/student, or $15/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

Rose Valley Falls Herb Walk (POSTPONED)
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:30
Rose Valley Falls Herb Walk (POSTPONED)

Rose Valley Falls, June 13, 2015 Photo: Lanny Kaufer

PLEASE NOTE: Out of an abundance of caution, this walk has been postponed due to possibility of thunderstorm activity. A new date will be posted soon. LK

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Please join me for an Herb Walk to Rose Valley Falls on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You will experience a local scenic wonder 300 feet high and learn about Rose Valley’s diverse plant communities. After a drive up California Scenic Highway 33, the outing will begin with a stop at Upper Rose Valley Lake, followed by a walk through Rose Valley Campground and a shaded walk in the forest of less than 1/2 mile each way to the Falls.

We will see and smell aromatic California Bay trees, see native Brookfoam and Maidenhair Ferns growing right on the Falls, and search for the elusive Sweet Cicely and California Violet herbs on the trail to the Falls. It’s a great time of year to see a variety of spring wildflowers.

Rose Valley Falls seen from downstream in Rose Valley. The tall conifers on the mountainside are Bigcone Douglas-Fir. Photo: Lanny Kaufer

This walk is presented under a Special Use Permit from the Ojai Ranger District Office of the U.S. Forest Service designed for guides who provide recreational and interpretive services to the public. As I do on all my walks and hikes, I will demonstrate and discuss the modern and ancient uses of wild plants. Poisonous plants will also be identified.

Trailside discussion will include topics such as the difference between native and naturalized plants, the role of humans in the ecological balance, sustainable foraging, and other topics generated by the participants. I’ve been leading informative and entertaining Herb Walks and Nature Hikes to Rose Valley Falls and other locations in Southern California since 1976.

The day will begin with a caravan/carpool from the Maricopa Plaza parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and return there by 12:30 p.m. The cost is $25 for all ages. Children 12-and-under are free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. No dogs or smoking, please. Registrants will receive a confirmation email beforehand with all necessary info and a follow-up email after the walk with a plant list and other info.

My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, along with the rest of my mobile bookshop will be available at the meeting place in the morning for sale and signing.

Weather policy: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle typically will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

Dog Policy: Years of experience have taught me that dogs on herb walks, even on a leash, are not a good fit. They can transfer poison oak oil on their fur, may accidentally frighten another hiker who has a fear of dogs, or may end up in a confrontation with another dog, all despite the best intentions of the owner and the pet. That being said, I do allow certified service dogs

Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

TICKETS

If you haven’t already, please REGISTER FIRST above before completing payment below.

There is just one all-ages ticket option for this event.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $25 for all ages (one child 12-and-under free per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.

Sisar Creek Nature Hike
2026-04-18 09:00 - 12:00
Sisar Creek Nature Hike

Sisar Canyon Trail. Photo: Lanny Kaufer

4/18/26: Registration is now closed for this event.

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🎧 Click below: Full-length audio of “Sisar Creek” by the April Hendrix Band

This beautiful oak-forested trail along Sisar Creek is one of my all-time favorites in the Ojai Valley. It’s actually located in the Upper Ojai Valley at the foot of the monumental Topa Topa Bluffs. Please join me for a Nature Hike there on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We will see and smell aromatic California Bay trees along with several other riparian trees, including Bigleaf Maple, not often found at this lower elevation. We’ll search for the elusive and uncommon Sweet Cicely and identify a wide variety of edible and medicinal plants. Expect butterflies; the spring wildflowers are busting out all over.

This hike is fairly easy but I classify it as a “nature hike” instead of an “herb walk” because of elevation gain at the beginning and a short creek crossing across boulders or through the shallow water.

I operate in the Los Padres National Forest under a Special Use Permit from the Ojai Ranger District Office of the U.S. Forest Service designed for guides who provide recreational and interpretive services to the public. As I do on all my walks and hikes, I will demonstrate and discuss the modern and ancient uses of wild plants. Poisonous plants will also be identified.

Trailside discussion will include topics such as the difference between native and naturalized plants, the role of humans in the ecological balance, sustainable foraging, and other topics generated by the participants. I’ve been leading informative and entertaining Herb Walks and Nature Hikes to Sisar Canyon and other locations in Southern California since 1976.

The cost is $25 for all ages. Children 12-and-under are free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. No dogs or smoking, please. Registrants will receive a confirmation email with directions and all necessary info about a week before the hike and a follow-up email afterwards with a plant list and other info.

My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, along with the rest of my mobile bookshop, will be available where we park in the morning for sale and signing.

Weather policy: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle typically will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

Dog Policy: Years of experience have taught me that dogs on herb walks, even on a leash, are not a good fit. They can transfer poison oak oil on their fur, may accidentally frighten another hiker who has a fear of dogs, or may end up in a confrontation with another dog, all despite the best intentions of the owner and the pet. That being said, I do allow certified service dogs

Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

TICKETS

If you haven’t already, please REGISTER FIRST above before completing payment below.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can email register@herbwalks.com to request instructions for mailing a payment of $25, as long as there is still time for mail delivery.

"Wild Food and Medicine of Early California:" A 2-Part Experiential Class for OLLI
2026-04-22 13:00 - 15:00
What was it like for Indigenous Californians and early settlers to find and prepare plant foods and medicinal home remedies? This immersive, hands-on course invites you to find out by stepping into a “village-for-a-day” experience. Over two interactive sessions, participants will work together to process flavorful black walnuts and to prepare a pain-relieving sagebrush liniment. Along the way, you will learn about regional plants, seasonal rhythms, and the cultural knowledge that sustained communities for generations. Class size is limited to 30 participants. There will be a small additional fee for course materials.

This OLLI class, taught by me, is offered on two consecutive Wednesdays beginning April 22 and ending April 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Each week’s class will include a one-hour “herb walk” on the campus to meet the native plant community in the flesh, so to speak, and learn about their uses. The second hour will be an outdoor, hands-on workshop

Enrollment began March 16. For more information and registration, please visit OLLI at CSUCI. 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.”

Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike
2026-04-30 17:30 - 20:00
Full moon, May 2023. Photo: Joe P. Powers

JUMP TO REGISTRATION

On Thursday evening, April 30, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Rondia and I will lead a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the sunset afterglow and rising of the moon. Both will happen around 7:20 p.m. Although the actual time of the full moon is on Friday, May 1, at 10:23 a.m., it is obviously not visible then. And It rises too late that night to schedule a hike. So April 30 is the ideal time to view it in its fullness.

We’ll meet at the trailhead at 5:15 p.m. for a 5:30 p.m. start, then gradually hike about 1.5 miles to the viewing site, experiencing some elevation gain on a well-worn, dirt fire road with uneven footing in places. Along the way we’ll stop to meet some valuable edible and medicinal plants, including:

Black & Purple SageBlue ElderberryCoastal SagebrushPassionfruitPrickly-Pear andYucca

We’ll also identify Poison Oak.

After witnessing the sunset and moonrise, we’ll walk back to the trailhead by remaining daylight, moonlight, and flashlight, returning to the trailhead at about 8:00 p.m. I will have copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, for sale and signing before and after the hike.

Heavy rain or chance of thunderstorms will cancel event.

If there is interest we can meet up at Ojai Valley Brewery for an after-party.

My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, will be available at the trailhead for sale and signing.

Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email a few days prior to the event with all necessary info, including what to bring, weather forecast, and directions to the trailhead. Afterwards, they also will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen.

In addition to the adult tickets ($35), tickets for students 13-17 ($25) and children 6-12 ($15) are offered below. One supervising adult must accompany each child 12 years old or younger. Senior discount is available by request.

No dogs or smoking, please.

MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST here before completing payment below.

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TICKETS

Please REGISTER FIRST above before completing payment below.

There are several ticket options. Please choose the one you qualify for.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $35/adult, $25/student, or $15/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

Nature Preserve Walk at Taft Gardens
2026-05-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, Ojai, CA, 93023, United States
Please note: This event is presented by the Conservation Endowment Fund (CEF), stewards of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve. They are handling all registrations. To register for the event, please visit this page or email taftgardensvisitors@gmail.com.

Registrants will receive an email from CEF with detailed directions. Please do not try to find the venue by using other maps or GPS. Allow plenty of time to find the venue and to make your way up the miles-long driveway.

Please join me for one of my occasional Nature Preserve Walks at Taft Gardens on Saturday, May 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., meeting at 8:45 a.m. We will explore trails through the wild parts of the property, identify and discuss native plants, and observe birds and animal tracks in the context of local ecology.

This event is a perfect fit with my personal mission to open a space for people to connect with the natural world, starting with the plant kingdom. The diversity of plant communities and native species make Taft Nature Preserve the ideal place. Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve was featured in an L. A. Times article on “The 16 Most Beautiful and Inviting Public Gardens in Southern California” and included in the RedBook Magazine list of “The 12 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the United States.”

The $35 cost includes a $10 donation to benefit the CEF, the non-profit steward of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve.

I will have my mobile bookshop onsite after the walk, including my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, and Milt McAuley’s classic Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains which features every plant we will see.

Please plan on leaving dogs and cigarettes at home. Thanks!

OJAI HERBAL RETREAT: ROOTS OF RENEWAL
2026-05-30 09:00 - 17:00
Immerse yourself in plant wisdom, gentle practices, and meaningful community. This in-person gathering Saturday, May 30, on the forested grounds of Krotona Institute brings together skilled herbalists for outdoor workshops, practical knowledge, and a nourishing retreat in the beautiful Ojai landscape. Vegetarian lunch options are available to be delivered, allowing you to remain in this special meditative environment for the entire day.

Attendees will rotate through four outdoor stations for hands-on workshops, including

“Creative Rituals for Everyday Beauty” with Jiling Lin (Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Artist)

“Grounding Through Touch: Herbal Oils & Self-Massage Rituals” with Emily Watson (Certified Clinical Herbalist; Certified Clinical Nutritionist; Founder/Director, Artemisia Academy of Herbal Arts & Healing, )

“Rest, Reset and Restore” with Carol Wade (Registered Herbalist (AHG); Founder/Director, Ojai School of Herbal Studies; Founder, Earth Island Medicinal Herb Garden)

“Meet the Global Plant Community of Krotona Hill:” An Herb Walk with Lanny Kaufer (Retreat Director, Author of Medicinal Herbs of California, Founder of Herb Walks [1976])

A relaxed 1.5 hour lunch break will allow for time to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Krotona campus. Admission tickets include an option to pre-pay for a vegetarian lunch to be delivered from one of 3 participating restaurants. That convenience will allow you to spend the entire day in retreat without having to run into town.

Visit OjaiHerbal.org for all the details and registration. Early-bird prices in effect through April 30.

Nature Preserve Walk at Taft Gardens
2026-06-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve, Ojai, CA, 93023, United States
Please note: This event is presented by the Conservation Endowment Fund (CEF), stewards of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve. They are handling all registrations. To register for the event, please visit this page or email taftgardensvisitors@gmail.com.

Registrants will receive an email from CEF with detailed directions. Please do not try to find the venue by using other maps or GPS. Allow plenty of time to find the venue and to make your way up the miles-long driveway.

Please join me for one of my occasional Nature Preserve Walks at Taft Gardens on Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., meeting at 8:45 a.m. We will explore trails through the wild parts of the property, identify and discuss native plants, and observe birds and animal tracks in the context of local ecology.

This event is a perfect fit with my personal mission to open a space for people to connect with the natural world, starting with the plant kingdom. The diversity of plant communities and native species make Taft Nature Preserve the ideal place. Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve was featured in an L. A. Times article on “The 16 Most Beautiful and Inviting Public Gardens in Southern California” and included in the RedBook Magazine list of “The 12 Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens in the United States.”

The $35 cost includes a $10 donation to benefit the CEF, the non-profit steward of Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve.

I will have my mobile bookshop onsite after the walk, including my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, and Milt McAuley’s classic Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains which features every plant we will see.

Please plan on leaving dogs and cigarettes at home. Thanks!

Summer Solstice Nature Hike on Pine Mountain
2026-06-20 09:00 - 16:00
Above: The Channel Islands seen from Pine Mountain. Photo: Lanny Kaufer

🌟 SPECIAL FATHER’S DAY PROMOTION: To celebrate Father’s Day weekend, I am offering free admission for fathers! For every paying adult, you can bring one father along for free, as long as space is available.

Who qualifies? This special family offer is for the fathers and husbands (who are dads) of our registered attendees.

How to claim: Simply register yourself using the link below, and let me know you’ll be bringing your dad or husband as your free guest! (Please note: This promotion applies strictly to the fathers or husbands of paying participants and cannot be applied to unrelated individual registrations).

JUMP TO REGISTRATION

If you’ve ever walked or hiked with me, you’ve probably heard me speak of the special beauty of Pine Mountain. Experience it for yourself on our annual Summer Solstice Nature Hike on the Reyes Peak Trail. On Saturday, June 20, we’ll visit some of the most spectacular scenery and habitat that Ventura County has to offer just when many late spring wildflowers are blooming up there at an elevation of 7000 feet(!). According to Craig Carey, author of Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura, the Reyes Peak Trail along the northern slope of the peak is “quite simply one of the most beautiful stretches in the southern Los Padres.”

The outing will start at 9:00 a.m. with a car caravan of about 35 miles up Highway 33 from the Maricopa Plaza, (1207 Maricopa Highway, Ojai, CA 93023) to the Reyes Peak trailhead. The final 5.5 miles are on a narrow, winding paved road and the very last half-mile is dirt. Trucks or SUV’s are preferred for the last stretch but most passenger cars with high clearance can also make the drive.

We will start walking into the Sespe Wilderness from the trailhead (where there is a restroom) at about 10:30 a.m., stop for lunch (not provided) in the forest, and return to the trailhead by 3:30 p.m., arriving back at the Maricopa Plaza by 4:00 p.m. We will hike on a well-used trail through Mixed Conifer Forest habitat, stopping often to identify and discuss native plants, birds and wildlife.

This intermediate level hike is suitable for moderately experienced hikers or physically fit beginners. There will be some elevation gain and loss skirting the north side of Reyes Peak, sometimes traversing steep hillsides on a narrow trail. The total hiking distance will be about 3 miles.

PLEASE NOTE: Those with respiratory or circulatory issues possibly affected by altitude should consult with a physician before attempting this hike.

Weather and marine layer permitting, we will have panoramic views of the Cuyama Valley to the north and the Channel Islands to the south from the “sky island” of Pine Mountain and Reyes Peak. This hike is another in a series of backcountry walks and hikes under an Operating Permit from the U.S. Forest Service designed for guides who provide recreational and interpretive services to the public. After the hike participants will receive a detailed follow-up email including a list of all plants identified.

PLEASE NOTE: Light rain will not cancel. Heavy rain or thunderstorms will. Once you register you will receive weather updates, directions and other info about what to wear, etc. No dogs or smoking, please.

The cost for the hike is $45/person. Qualifying full-time students (13+) can attend for $35. Children 6-12 (one per adult) can attend for $25. Kids 5 and under are free (one per adult), subject to approval.

My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, and the rest of my mobile bookshop will be available at the meeting place in the morning for sale and signing.

Lanny describes the needles of a White Fir sapling on the Reyes Peak Trail.

Rondia (center) and friends enjoying lunch. Photo: Chris Kudelka

Pine Mountain. Photo: Enrique Villaseñor

View north of the Cuyama Valley from Pine Mountain.

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Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $45/adult, $35/student, or $25/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

Herb Walks 50-Year Anniversary Garden Party
2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA, 93023
Celebrate a half-century of nature connection! You are cordially invited to a morning garden party at the Ojai Valley Museum as we mark the 50th anniversary of “Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer.” This is my opportunity to say “thank you” to the walkers, hikers, learners, and collaborators who have made it possible for me to keep doing what I love all these years.

This free event takes place in the beautiful Chumash Garden, a space dedicated to the native flora of our region. As a native plant consultant for the Museum, I will lead a short tour to share the stories, uses, and ecology of the plants growing there.

Among the important and useful native plants used by the Chumash, we’ll see:

Mugwort (molɨsh)

White Sage (khapshɨkh)

Elderberry (qayas)

Hollyleaf and Catalina Cherry (‘akhtatapɨsh)

Mountain-Mahogany (pɨch)

Yarrow (yepunash)

and many more

Whether you have been joining walks since the 1970s or are just beginning your botanical journey, please join us for a relaxed morning of community and gratitude.

Event Highlights:

Guided Mini-Tour: Explore the Chumash Garden and learn about our local native species.

Book Signing: I will have copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, available for purchase and signing.

Refreshments: Enjoy light snacks and chilled herbal tea.

Community: Connect with fellow plant enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Details:

When: Saturday, June 27

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Where: Chumash Garden at the Ojai Valley Museum

Parking: Free curbside on Blanche Street or next door at 180 N.Blanche St.

Cost: Free to the Public (Please RSVP so we can plan refreshments.)

We look forward to celebrating fifty years of walking the trails together!

RSVP Here:

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Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike
2026-06-28 18:00 - 20:30
Lanny pointing out expected moonrise (June, 2024) Photo: Sofi Roman

JUMP TO REGISTRATION

On Sunday evening, June 28, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., Rondia and I will lead a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the sunset afterglow and rising of the moon. Both will happen around 8:00 p.m. Although the exact time of the full moon is on Monday, June 29 at 4:56 p.m., it is not visible then. And It rises too late that night to schedule a hike. So June 28 is the ideal time to view it in its fullness.

We’ll meet at the trailhead at 5:45 p.m. for a 6:00 p.m. start, then gradually hike about 1.5 miles to the viewing site, experiencing some elevation gain on a well-worn, dirt fire road with uneven footing in places. Along the way we’ll stop to meet some valuable edible and medicinal plants, including:

Black & Purple SageBlue ElderberryCoastal SagebrushPassionfruitPrickly-Pear andYucca

We’ll also identify Poison Oak.

My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, will be available at the trailhead for sale and signing.

Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email a few days prior to the event with all necessary info, including what to bring, weather forecast, and directions to the trailhead. Afterwards, they also will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen.

In addition to the adult tickets ($35), tickets for students 13-17 ($25) and children 6-12 ($15) are offered below. One supervising adult must accompany each child 12 years old or younger. Senior discount is available by request.

No dogs or smoking, please.

MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST here before completing payment below.

Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.

TICKETS

Please REGISTER FIRST above before completing payment below.

There are several ticket options. Please choose the one you qualify for.

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Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike: Sunday, June 28

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Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike: Sunday, June 28 (STUDENT)

$26.36

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Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike: Sunday, June 28 (CHILD)

$16.00

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Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $35/adult, $25/student, or $15/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.
