Foraging Walks Los Angeles

LUNCHTIME FORAGING WALK – Learn Plant ID, Learn edible plants–

To attend and for exact location, Register HERE September 24 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm $30.00 – $45.00 Thursday, September 24, Noon, LUNCHTIME PLANT ID WALK Ever wondered what sort of useful plants grow right in the city, including medicinal plants? We’ll explore a unique one-acre wildlife sanctuary in the Highland Park area where we will see native plants, cultivated plants and many of the plants so typical of the urban areas. You will be able to collect samples. There is also a greenhouse on -site where you can purchase potted plants to take home to your garden. We will learn about the food uses, medicines, fibres, and more. Our discussion will revolve around ethical foraging, and you will be able to collect greens to take home, and cuttings in some cases. There is also a nursery on the site where you can purchase various potted plants to take home. We’ll also make a simple salad so you can taste some of the in-season foods! An excellent opportunity to see and taste some of the plants that everyone living in this area will encounter most of the time. We will also review the Botanical Families that are entirely safe. A good time to review. Bring a bowl! A great survival skills for the ages. Bring a bowl, and water. Be sure to RSVP. Please register to attend and for location. Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.

Santa Monica Dog Walks: Explore the Beach with your Pup!

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon as we gather for a delightful dog walking experience along the beautiful shores of Santa Monica. Whether you have a furry friend or are simply a dog lover, this event is perfect for both locals and visitors looking to connect with fellow dog enthusiasts. We'll embark on a leisurely stroll, taking in the fresh ocean breeze and enjoying the stunning views of the coastline. During the walk, we'll have the opportunity to socialize our four-legged companions while strengthening our bonds as a community of dog owners. This event encourages dogs of all sizes and breeds to come together, promoting a sense of unity among our furry friends and their humans. Feel free to bring toys or treats for your pups to make the experience even more enjoyable. Join us for an unforgettable morning of dog walks, laughter, and making new connections. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or thinking about getting a dog in the future, this meetup is the perfect chance to learn more about responsible pet ownership and enjoy the company of other dog enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this pawsome opportunity to explore Santa Monica's breathtaking beach with your beloved furry companion!

FIBRE-CRAFT 101

To attend and for exact location, register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/lunchtime-fibre-craft/) Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. FIBRE-CRAFT 101: The Art of Turning Plant Fibres into Bags, Baskets, Nets, String, Sandals. We’ve had some requests for a BASKETRY Workshop. This class will include Basketry basics, though this class will not be only basketry. The art of working fibre is nearly a lost art. You’ll learn to recognize some of the common plants which yield a useful fibre, and learn how to work them into strings, and baskets, and nets, and sandals, and more. In the old days of the Southwest, the lives of the people were literally tied together with fibre: for shelter, for clothing (hats, belts, shoes), fishing nets, bags, weaponry, fire-making, brushes, looms for fabric. In the past, most people had a more intimate connection to plant fibres. There are so many practical applications, though today someone makes everything we use. So it’s become a lost art. You will learn how to process a few plant fibres and how to make them into a usable product! We will do a short walk (if time) and learn about some of the plants that are useful for weaving, and making cordage. You will then learn by making some of the useful products. Along the way, you’ll also see many of the other useful and edible plants of the area. NOTE: PLEASE RSVP SINCE WE NEED TO PLAN TO BRING SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES! $65 (Seniors and students $45)

Ballona Wetlands - family-friendly walk

Los Angeles Audubon Society hosts the *Open Wetlands* event at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve with the collaboration of NNI staff. Binoculars are available to borrow! Volunteers guide visitors in viewing aquatic invertebrates through microscopes, learning about the unique ecosystems found at Ballona, and viewing birds through powerful spotting scopes along Ballona Creek. Enter through the gate in the northeast corner of the parking lot behind the 300 block of Culver Blvd in Playa del Rey (zip code 90293). This block is near the intersection of Culver Blvd and Vista del Mar. No baby strollers, please. Pets are not allowed on the reserve. Need more information? Contact ecobar@naturenexusinstitute.org

WILD FOOD OUTING, With Cooking

To attend and for exact location, Register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/wild-clay-workshop/) Folks, this will be an excellent way to see what’s in season and to try some of the wild edibles. We will go on a short walk to explore an area and learn about the wild plants, and their edible and medicinal uses. We will study the diverse flora and we’ll have an opportunity to make a fire and do some light cooking.Students examining fresh chicken-of-the-woods Come and enjoy your time outdoors learning about plant and how they can be used for teas, salads, soups, and medicines. Also you’ll learn about those plants used for fire in a traditional manner.

Let's go to the California Avocado Festival in Carpinteria by Train!

What could be more quintessentially California than a festival paying tribute to the Avocado, full of different guacamoles, and getting there on the Pacific Surfliner? This is the 40th year they've been having this festival. There is even Avocado ice cream! Entry to the Festival is free, and the booths are sponsored by local non-profits to raise money for their worthy causes. We've done this trip a couple of times, and it's always been fun. This unique festival is in Carpinteria, only a couple of blocks from the Carpinteria Amtrak station. It's one of the largest festivals in California, with three days of fabulous food and terrific music. [https://avofest.com/](https://avofest.com/) In case you didn't know, Santa Barbara County is the third largest avocado producer in North America, with Carpinteria being a major contributor. As the Festival has grown, so do the number of participants and festival-goers. In past years, over forty non-profit groups benefited by catering to 100,000 avocado visitors. The California Avocado Festival™ itself is a non-profit group that generates its own operating revenue each year. The annual event is completely organized by a committee of volunteers, and includes one part-time staff person. Our group will take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles, to Carpinteria. We'll walk to the Festival from the Amtrak station, just a few blocks. See a video from last year's festival [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u9kEXivElM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u9kEXivElM)[QI7U](https://youtu.be/C5BR4_hQI7U) **You need to buy your Amtrak round-trip ticket for Sunday, October 4, on the Amtrak web site.** **Train numbers are below**. [https://www.amtrak.com/home.html](https://www.amtrak.com/home.html) Our group will take the 765 Pacific Surfliner -- leaving Union Station at 9:13am, arriving in Carpinteria at 11:27am. Ticket prices: Senior ($30 Coach) Return trip: 790 Pacific Surfliner -- leaving Carpinteria at 4:57pm, arriving at Union Station at 7:43pm. Ticket prices: Senior ($30 Coach) There are two areas to park at Union Station. One, East, is $8 for the day, the other, West, is $16 for the day. See the map in the photo. The Union Station web site says the West area has limited parking, so it might be best to plan to park in the East structure. We can form carpools closer to the event date. Join us to Celebrate 40 Years of Peace Love & Guacamole!

MIDDAY GOURD WORKSHOP

To attend and for exact location, Register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/midday-gourd-workshop/) Thursday, October 1, Noon to 2P LEARN THE ART OF CREATING A CUP, BOWL, PLATE, OR SCOOP FROM THE HARD-SHELLED ORNAMENTAL GOURD In this mid-day class, you will take a dried gourd and learn all the steps to turning it into a beautiful and functional plate, or bowl, or canteen, or even a scoop. We’ll bring the tools you need, but if you have saws, files or rasps, bring them. It’s not that hard to make a good functional gourd. We used to each make one before a week at Dirttime, and then if we cut it just right, we’d have a dish, and a bowl. Bushcraft skills? Survival Skill? Whatever you call it, it’s a great skill, and a great opportunity to meet with like-minded people. $45 ($30 students/seniors) Please register to attend and for location. Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.

FRIDAY--Easy Night walk around Silverlake

Silverlake can be quite beautiful at night. Walk is mostly easy 2.2 miles RT around the lake. Walk is approx. 1 hour. There is short uphill on this walk--approx. 10 minutes Some members go to the local Oyster bar afterwards. **Rain will cancel walk. Dogs ok as long as on leash.** Parking: Street parking. There is more parking when you park along the lake --along W. Silverlake Dr.

MIDDAY FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP

To attend and for exact location, Register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/lunchtime-fibre-and-yucca-workshop/) Thursday, October 8, Noon. **midday FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP IN THE ARROYO** This is one of our Ethnobotany class series. We’ll be in a section of the Arroyo Seco and learn about some the history and unique plant-life of the area. We’ll see edible and medicinal plants on our short walk, and will learn some basics about making cordage, nets, and bags. You will practice hands-on making cordage, nets, bags, brushes, etc. A very good introduction to this ancient art. Bring your canteen. Location — you’ll get details upon registration. $45 ($30 senior and students). Please register to attend and for location. Hahamonga Watershed County Park is our field office, the class may be in a different location.

Mid-Autumn Nature Walk

To see more info and/or RSVP for this event we have curated just click hyperlink [Puente Hills Preserve Hikers](https://www.meetup.com/puente-hills-preserve-hikers/events/315878798/) . Please support Member Created Events also on [California Experiences & Outdoor Adventures](https://www.meetup.com/california-experiences-outdoor-adventures/) & [Hike, Bike, Kayak & Walk SoCal](https://www.meetup.com/hike-bike-kayak-walk-socal/) . \*\*\*Make sure you tell the hosting group how you discovered their WOW Event and let them know if they desire they can cross-post their events on our 2 Florida Meetup Groups.

5 mile Marina Del Rey sunset walk, dockweiler, wetlands, jetty, optional potluck

**Event:** **Amazing 4.5 mile walk from Marina Del Rey, Jetty at sunset, paved path beach walk; optional after walk potluck on the marina.** **Meet st the free Dock 52 parking lot,, Rick will have on a safety vest 🦺** **The 4.5 mile walk is on level trails. Can get cold so dress appropriately. Bring tennis shoes, water, sun screen, sun protection, and a fun spirit. Up and back so option to turn back early.** **I encourage every one to stay after the walk to eat, drink or just hang out at the after walk potluck. The potluck is in the same dock 52 parking lot where we meet. I will bring tables, lights, paper plates, plastic utensils, and tunes to jam. Bring your favorite store bought or home made appetizer, main course, side or dessert, and of course your favorite beverage to enjoy and share.** **DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.**

Last Chance: All-You-Can-Eat Lobster & King Crab Legs at Café Sierra!