Celebrate the splendor of the Spring Equinox on a Nature Hike to Gridley Spring in the Topa Topa Mountains of Ojai. We’ll witness the peak of the Spring wildflower season and learn about edible, medicinal and otherwise useful plants along the way. We’ll also keep an eye out for birds, butterflies and other wildlife and discuss the ecology of the area. Views of the Ojai Valley as we gain elevation are an extra highlight.

The Gridley Spring/Spring Eqinox Nature Hike will be a 5.4 mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain of 1200 feet through a mix of chaparral and riparian plant habitat. (That’s 5.4 total miles round-trip.) It’s considered an easy-to-moderate hike especially with the numerous stops for nature study. This trail offers a nice blend of sunny and shady areas with corresponding plant life.

Read more and register here.

Thanks to what rain El Niño has brought, water has returned to San Antonio Creek along with Miner’s Lettuce, Thistles, and other edible greens. I will lead a 3-hour Herb Walk there on Saturday, February 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

On this walk, we will identify, demonstrate, and discuss the many uses of wild plants for foragers, herbalists, and naturalists seeking out natural resources for food, first aid, home remedies, survival, crafts, ceremony and more. Poisonous plants will also be identified.

Read more and register here.

Looking ahead, Rondia and I will be setting up our mobile bookstore and slideshow at Oxnard's 2016 Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 9. Come see us.

Then, on the weekend of June 4-5, Dr. James Adams will return for our first two-day Medicinal Plant Weekend. If you're from out of town and want to spend the weekend in Ojai, now is the time to book lodging. You'll find a guide at the event listing linked above.

As our thank-you to you for opening and reading this newsletter, here is a discount code worth 10% off any of the books in the Herb Walks Store. It's good through the month of February. This offer does not include Gift Certificates and event admission fees.

Just click on the Herb Walks logo below to get the code. Then copy and paste it when requested at checkout. Thanks!

I’m pleased to announce the return of Professor James Adams of USC School of Pharmacy on Saturday, February 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a Medicinal Plant Walk on the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Preserve. Dr. Adams will identify and discuss the medicinal uses of a wide variety of native plants found in the unique mixed habitat of the Ventura River flood plain.

Dr. Adams brings to Ojai a wealth of scientific knowledge and field experience as well as a singular perspective on herbal medicine.

Read more and register here.

Experience a local scenic wonder and learn about Rose Valley’s diverse plant communities at the same time. We will begin with a hike along Howard Creek and end with a shaded walk of 0.5 mile each way to the Falls. On Howard Creek we will see wonderful riparian herbs such as Stinging Nettle and Mugwort. Then we will see and smell the wonderfully aromatic California Bay trees (shown in foreground of the photo) and search for the elusive Sweet Cicely on the trail to the Falls.

Read more and register here.