“We are constantly walking on herbs, the virtues of which no one knows.” – Chumash Tradition*
Lanny Kaufer offers herb walks, nature hikes, and workshops focused on edible and medicinal plants of Southern California. Lanny discusses and demonstrates the traditional and modern uses of herbs for food, home remedies, botanical medicine, survival, sustainable foraging, wildcrafting, landscaping, camping, crafts, ceremony and more.
- You’ll learn to positively identify native plants in their natural habitats and those suitable for foraging.
- You’ll discover the plants’ roles in the ecology of the area as well as their applications for humans and learn the concept of sustainable foraging.
- This type of learning engages all your senses to be able to understand the “language of the plants” and cannot be accomplished with books, photos and web images alone.
Herb Walks and Nature Hikes with Lanny are also a great way to discover the many wonderful trails of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties and the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California while meeting interesting like-minded people.
DETAILS and FEES
“Herb Walks” are usually less than 1 mile distance each way and accessible to beginning hikers. “Nature Hikes” are longer, more strenuous versions of Herb Walks. They are usually 2-4 miles round-trip and may include creek crossings, higher altitude trails, or significant elevation gain while hiking. Each event listing includes a description of the difficulty of the walk or hike.
Adults: Herb Walks in the Ojai/Santa Barbara area are usually $25-$35; Most Nature Hikes are $35-$45.
Seniors: A $5-$10 discount for seniors 65-and-older is available by request for most walks and hikes but not for workshops
Students: A $10 discount for students 13-17 is available by request.
Kids: Children 5-12 can attend walks and hikes free, one per adult, by prior arrangement. All participants below the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
Workshops: Lanny also offers workshops, sometimes with guest presenters. Admission prices will vary and typically do not include the discounts listed above.
No dogs or smoking, please, on any walks, hikes, or workshops. Thanks!
Please check out Upcoming Events in the right sidebar or check out the Calendar to sign up for a walk or hike 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 by entering your name and the name of the event. Due to weather conditions and the holiday season, there is usually nothing scheduled in December and January.
Events held in the Los Padres National Forest are provided under a U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permit for Outfitting and Guiding Services. Events on Ojai Valley Land Conservancy preserves are provided under their Special Use Permit.
This page updated on March 8, 2021.