On Friday evening, December 5, Rondia and I will lead a third consecutive Supermoon Sunset Nature Hike from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. From the trailhead 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 rising of the moon over the iconic Topa Topa Bluffs to the east amidst Ojai’s famed “pink moment.” At the same time, as happens during a full moon, the sun will be setting over the mountains to the west. These synchronistic seasonal phenomena are beautifully captured in Stephen Adams’ photo above.

 

 

PLUS! A Special Moon Viewing Event: After the supermoon hike, join our special guest, Julie Esmond of Alta Vista Tours, on the patio at Ojai Valley Brewery for telescope viewing of the Moon. Her astronomy guide Luc, who holds a degree in astrophysics and has led hundreds of telescope nights, will reveal the moon’s craters and maria (ancient lava seas) in stunning detail through a high-powered telescope — features invisible to the naked eye but breathtaking up close. If conditions allow, we may also spot Jupiter and Saturn. This added event is cloud-dependent, although December typically brings clear skies to Ojai.

 

Please join me for my final monthly Nature Preserve Walk of 2025 at Taft Gardens on Saturday, December 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.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. To learn more and sign up, please click here or on the photo above by Alexandra Nicklin.

My first-ever Botany Field Course for Herbalists is wrapping up its first year this month. The 6 students attending it have committed to another year-long series of 24 Monday morning classes in 2026. Their appreciation and enthusiasm has inspired me to offer a new beginner course for 6 students on Tuesday mornings. Five people have already confirmed, leaving just 1 space still open. Click here or on the photo above to learn more.

 

My use here of the word "herbalists" is broad, along the lines of Merriam-Webster's definition #2:  "a person who collects or grows herbs." Most likely, you fit that definition. Please email me at lanny@herbwalks.com for more information about the new course, including locations, class times, price, expectations, and more.

 

Here are some testimonials from this year's students:

 

"This engaging, informative, and entertaining outdoor class is freeform, motivating, and encourages you to explore the world of medicinal and edible California native plants in greater depth. Lanny is enthusiastic and happy to share stories and his wide range of knowledge, while also promoting participation, questions, comments, and observations. If he doesn't know something, he will find out. He loves learning from others and fosters group discussions and involvement. If you enjoy plants and nature, you'll develop a greater appreciation and knowledge of how to identify plants correctly, while also gaining a new perspective on the plant world." – Richard Flowers, California Certified Nursery Professional, Green Thumb Nursery

 

"Lanny Kaufer teaches with a rare reverence that transforms plants from specimens into living stories. Each leaf, flower, and root becomes part of a larger narrative of ecology and Indigenous wisdom, revealed through his thoughtful guidance. On guided walks through the shifting seasons, you’ll witness native plants grow, adapt, and endure—an experience that deepens your knowledge while restoring your sense of belonging to the land itself."

– Tara Saylor, Upper Ojai Search & Rescue

 

"As the naturalist John Muir said, 'In every walk with Nature one receives far mor e than he seeks.' Perfect description of Lanny’s class! Did I mention, it’s fun as well!" – Jeff Grimes

 

"Lanny’s Botany Field Course has been a journey into real relationship with local plants and ecosystems. I have lived in Ojai my entire life and have had a close connection to the plants and animals here, but it wasn’t until this class that all those little pieces of knowledge I had picked up over the years began to weave themselves together into more holistic patterns of wisdom. Lanny moves slowly and intentionally, and gives space for you to really get to know each plant on an intimate level. I have found a deeper appreciation for the world around me, a more profound respect for the process of learning in community, and an incredible expansion of confidence in my skills and understanding. If you have any interest in the plants and herbs of our local area; you owe it to yourself to learn from the guy who quite literally wrote the book on Medicinal Herbs of California!" – Lauren Snyder, Lead Herbalist & Owner of Thimble & Seed 

 

“It’s been almost a year of cruising around with Lanny Kaufer, asking: ‘Hey, Lanny, what’s that?’ What began as a 6-month class will continue into another year, at our request. The good news is, he loves it as much as we do, so he will start another group up in January. It’s a natural way to learn (no pun intended), just hanging out with someone talking about what they know and love, right in your own backyard. It’s more than learning to identify a plant, it’s also a deepening connection with place, and a satisfying way to start a Monday morning.”
– Alicia Morris, Lymphatic Therapist, Ayurvedic Health Counselor

The increasingly popular Native Plant Fest is returning for its 5th year on the grounds of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. This time around, they’re aiming to create an immersive and educational experience where the community can explore and learn about native plants, connect with knowledgeable organizations, and enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of local retailers, artists, non-profits, and food vendors. Registration for vendors, exhibitors, and artists is now open at this link: Registration Form | Native Plant Fest 2026.

 

 

The organizers are asking that participating vendors, artists & non profits consider incorporating an interactive activity for attendees. Interactive booths will be highlighted on the event map. 

 

Today, December 3, through Thursday, December 18, my loyal newsletter readers can take advantage of a special holiday offer. For every copy of my book Medicinal Herbs of California that you buy for $26.95 in my online shop you will receive a free copy of Milt McAuley's classic 565-page flora of Southern California,  Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains.  I normally sell that book for $19.95 but it's really worth much more compared to 2025 prices for similar books. The thing is, no similar book exists! This is the only book of its kind for our region, so there are no comparisons.
 
You can start ordering the book package by visiting the Herb Walks bookshop or by clicking on the book cover montage above and scrolling to either title. Or you can start the order process by clicking on either book's name in the first paragraph above.
 
To order the holiday special, add both books to the shopping cart and enter the following coupon code in the shopping cart where you're prompted to apply coupon: WildFree2025. The McAuley book ⏤ which includes 496 color photos ⏤ is absolutely free; you just have to pay a little extra for the shipping. This offer is for my newsletter subscribers only and applies only to these two books as a combined order. Be sure to order by December 18 to allow for shipping time before Christmas Day.
 
After you've entered the coupon code in the shopping cart, when you reach "checkout" you can use the “Order notes (optional)” field to request a simple autograph or have my book signed to you or that special person who's receiving it as a gift. This personal touch is something not available when purchasing on Amazon or other vendors. Thank you and happy holidays! 
 
BTW, if you already own my book or you're considering buying it, click on the following link to check out the free hyperlinked bibliography I created to save you the hassle of copying long URLs from the printed page to your browser, enabling you to easily to visit the many web sources cited in the book.