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January 2025 HerbWalks & OjaiHerbal Newsletter
2025 marks my 49th year of leading Herb Walks. Come celebrate with me! 
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January 2025 HerbWalks & OjaiHerbal Newsletter |
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Lanny leading a field class at Harmon Canyon Preserve.
Photo: Ventura Land Trust |
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There's ONE space left in this new
Extended Field Class offering |
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Are you interested in joining an extended field class twice a month for 6 months beginning in January, limited to just 5 students? Four of the 5 spaces have been claimed. There's one left, as of this writing. Here's the story:
A longtime friend and Herb Walks fan recently asked if she could study plant identification with me to supplement her college class in Ecological Restoration. After we brainstormed how that might look, she created a draft of a class description, including class duration, goals, cost of program, and a cost breakdown per student for a maximum of 5 students. Here is the proposal:
Class Goals:
- Introduce students to native plants and their seasonal life cycles.
- Develop skills in plant identification and ecological observation.
- Track changes in native plants at two distinct sites for comparative learning.
- Two 2.5 hour classes per month on Monday mornings
- 5 or less students
- January-June, 2025
Cost of Program:
- Duration: 12 sessions (2.5 hours each, twice a month)
- Cost Per Session: $250 total or $50/student, divided among participants
For cost breakdown by number of students (1-5) and registration information, please visit this page.
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Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike
& Optional After-Party
Tuesday, January 14
Please join me and Rondia at 5 p.m. as we kick off my 49th year of leading Herb Walks with our monthly full moon hike above the picturesque Ojai Valley. Then we're celebrating the 49 year milestone with an optional after-party at Ojai Valley Brewery. Read the article below or click on the Ojai full moon photo above by Ric Kauai to learn more and register. |
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Wheeler Gorge Nature Hike
Saturday, January 18
Please join me and Rondia for a 2-hour nature hike on the Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail. Click on my photo above of the North Fork of Matilija Creek at Wheeler Gorge to learn more and register. See the article below for more info, including the optional after-party at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center to continue celebrating my 49th year of leading Herb Walks. |
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4th Annual Native Plant Fest
Saturday, January 25
I'll be giving a presentation on native medicinal herbs at some point during this free event. Time of my talk and other details will be updated on my website. In the meantime, please visit the Oxnard Performing Arts Center's dedicated page for the Plant Fest for info. |
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"It's A Family Affair:" The Human-Plant Family Connection– Part 1
Saturday, February 15
Join Ojai herbalists Carol Wade and Lanny Kaufer for a deep dive into the similarities and connections between human and plant families. Scheduled in 4 parts, one for each season, this series of workshops from February through October will enhance your knowledge of edible and medicinal plants as well as your understanding of our own species, our personal and collective health, and our place in Nature. Experience the glory of witnessing the cycles of change in a garden, plants, and the ecosystem at large. It really is a wonder!
ACUPUNCTURE CEUs: This course is pending approval by the California Acupuncture Board for 7 hours of continuing education (Provider Number 1526). |
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Here's where you can find my book when you're out supporting local businesses
If you're out and about at any of these outstanding businesses (and please do support them!), you can find my book on the shelf: in Ojai at Farmer & the Cook, Krotona Quest Bookshop, Ojai Cannabis Company, Ojai Valley Brewery, Ojai Valley Museum, Sespe Creek Collective, Westridge Market Midtown, and Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center; in Ventura at Ema's Herbs, Green Thumb Nursery, Timbre Books, and Ventura Spirits; in Sun Valley at Theodore Payne Foundation; in Goleta at Island Seed & Feed; and, among many other booksellers, at REI stores and Barnes & Noble locations throughout California. (All local store names above are listed in alphabetical order within each city.)
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January
Herb Walks Events |
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Photo of the moon rising over Topa Topa Bluffs by Joe P. Powers. Click to enlarge. |
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First full moon hike of 2025, my 49th year of Herb Walks! |
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On Tuesday evening, January 14, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., my wife Rondia and I will launch my 49th year of leading Herb Walks with a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike. We’ll hike to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the sunset afterglow and the full moonrise.
Then at 7:30 p.m. you’re invited to a party! Please join me and Rondia on the heated patio at Liz and Jeremy Haffner's Ojai Valley Brewery where brewmasters Jeremy, Griffin Davis, and their staff will be pouring their locally-sourced beers, ales, stouts, and non-alcoholic beverages. Since 2023 OVB also serves their own Side Street Wines.
Rondia will make her popular vegetarian chili to warm us up as we celebrate my 49-year milestone while the moon continues to rise in the eastern sky.
To read more and sign up, please click here.
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We're fortunate to have this special trail loop in the heart of the forest, yet so close to Ojai. |
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Hike the only official "Nature Trail" near Ojai with us |
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Please join me and my wife Rondia on Saturday, January 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. (including drive time) for a plant identification hike on the Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail, a special place just 9 miles up scenic Highway 33 from Ojai.
After the hike we're hosting an optional after-party in the picnic area at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center to celebrate the first month of my 49th year of leading herb walks.
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.
Click here or on the nature trail sign above for more info and registration. This hike is just $25/person.
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Other Local Events of Interest |
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Please come to my talk at the Oxnard Native Plant Fest on Saturday, January 25 |
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I’ll be giving a presentation on native medicinal herbs at some time during the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule. Stay tuned to HerbWalks.com and this newsletter for details.
The 4th Annual Native Plant Fest on the grounds of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center brings together our community to celebrate and showcase local plant-inspired culture, food, traditions, and creativity!
This festival is community-led by plant enthusiasts of diverse backgrounds who will share their plants, services, artwork, culinary creations, products, educational resources, and much more.
Read more here.
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Due to continuing dry conditions, summer fire restrictions remain in place through January 31 or until adequate rainfall alters the situation.
For more information, visit this webpage. Note: Online information is not always up to date. For best current info, contact your local USFS Ranger District Office. |
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