For years, people in the hospitality industry and those who work at farmers markets and other weekend jobs have asked me to lead an herb walk or nature hike on a weekday. In response to those requests, I’m leading a Nature Hike to Potrero John Camp deep in the Sespe Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest on Monday, May 25. 

We will cover 1.7 miles each way on a mostly level trail with very gradual elevation gain through chaparral and riparian settings, beginning at 3700 feet.

Read more and register here.

You are invited to a FREE Screening of Inhabit, A Permaculture Perspective!

Inhabit offers a new approach to understanding our role as inhabitants of this Earth, showcasing practical examples of how to support the regeneration of ecosystems, build community, and reintegrate ourselves as a keystone species on this planet.

May 29th
6:00-7:00 Potluck (local, organic foods please!)
7:00-8:30 Movie
8:30-10 Panel Discussion and Q&A

Ojai Valley Grange
381 Cruzero St
Ojai, CA

For more information call 805-633-0649 or visit the facebook page.

Memorial Day Nature Hike to Potrero John Camp: Monday, May 25
(pictured above)

Rose Valley Herb Walk: Saturday, June 13

Herb Walk and Native Landscaping Workshop: Saturday, June 27

Summer Mini-Course at OLLI: Wednesday, July 8 or Saturday, July 11

Cal State University at Channel Islands (CSUCI) has invited me to present a slideshow lecture on "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Ventura River Watershed" this summer as part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. They are offering a choice of dates and venues. The first talk will be on Wednesday, July 8, at Ventura Adult Continuing Education. The same talk will be given again on Saturday, July 11, at the CSUCI Thousand Oaks Campus.

Learn more and sign up at their website here or read the course description a little ways down on this page.

As our thank-you to you for opening and reading this newsletter, here is a discount code worth 10% off all items (except Gift Certificates and event admission charges) for the months of May and June at the Herb Walks Store. We are always adding new books to our collection. Have you looked lately?

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

Have you been thinking about -- or already started -- replacing your water-intensive landscape with drought-tolerant native plants and sustainable design? If so, please join me and Ojai landscape contractor Jessica Thompson (pictured above) of Green Goddess Gardens for an Herb Walk and Native Landscaping Workshop on Saturday, June 27.

Now is a great time to plan your new landscape and prepare for a fall planting while making some water-saving changes right away.

Read more and register here.

Matt Kettmann, senior editor at the Santa Barbara Independent, interviewed Professor Jim Adams of the USC School of Pharmacy just before the Santa Barbara Medicinal Plant Walk on Saturday, May 16. The interview, entitled "A Medicinal Herb Expert’s Teachings and Tribulations," appeared in the May 14 issue of the paper. You can read it online here.

It's been two years since I featured this remarkable book in this column. Having just spent the day with Jim Adams on the San Antonio Trail I'm inspired to share it again. If you are really serious about using local native plants for home remedies and more, then Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West is the book for you. Please read about it in our Herb Walks Store here.