Sometimes, we’ll see a supermoon two, or even three, months in a row. That will be the case on Wednesday evening when Rondia and I lead a second back-to-back Supermoon Sunset Nature Hike from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. (The third consecutive supermoon will be in December. See that event below for details.)

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 Ojai artist Jennifer Moses‘ oil-on-linen painting, “Sunswept.”

My first-ever Botany Field Course for Herbalists is wrapping up its first year this month. Already, 5 of the 6 students attending it have committed to another series of 24 Monday morning classes next year. Their appreciation and enthusiasm have inspired me to offer a new beginner course on Tuesday mornings. Six has turned out to be a good class size for both me and the students so I'm offering 6 spaces for the new 2026 class. There also is one opening for the advanced class for someone with prior knowledge of botany and/or local edible and medicinal plants. 

My use here of the word "herbalist" 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 either the beginner or advanced 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 

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.