Herb Walk on San Antonio Creek Trail

Local author and herbalist Lanny Kaufer is pleased to announce that he is now in his 50th year of leading Herb Walks in Ojai, Santa Barbara, and the surrounding area.

He is celebrating the anniversary all year, beginning with an Herb Walk on Presidents’ Day, February 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on San Antonio Creek Trail in Goleta.

The trail is the site of the first plant walk he attended in the early 1970s with legendary Chumash artisan and plant expert, the late Juanita Centeno.

They later co-led walks and workshops.

Kaufer calls his tours “Herb Walks” rather than “native plant walks” because they feature plants defined as “herbs,” i.e., those that can be used for food and medicine.

One of his first mentors, the late herbalist William LeSassier, coined the term “Herb Walk” in the early 1970’s when he led them in Santa Barbara.

Kaufer borrowed the name once he moved to Ojai and started leading his own walks in 1976 after LeSassier moved east.

Scheduled on a Monday for the weekend warriors, the family-friendly walk on February 16 will include identifying, demonstrating and discussing the many uses of wild plants by foragers, herbalists, and naturalists seeking them out for food, herbal medicine, first aid, home remedies, survival, crafts, ceremony and more.

Kaufer will focus on Centeno’s teachings about the Chumash ways of respecting nature’s gifts and the specific uses of plants to be found on that trail.

This time of year his group can expect to encounter Black Sage, California Bay, Mugwort, Indian-Lettuce, California Blackberry, Hummingbird Sage, and Wild Rose, among others.

Toxic plants such as Poison Oak and Poison Hemlock will also be identified.

This slow-paced walk is suitable for all hikers able to walk less than 2 miles round-trip on a level trail and stand for periods of time.

Participants will receive an email with directions, what to bring, etc., and another one afterwards with a plant list (including common and scientific names) and other useful notes.

Before the walk, he will have his mobile bookstore on display, including copies of his book, Medicinal Herbs of California, available for sale and signing.

No smoking and no dogs except certified service dogs are allowed.

For more information and registration, please visit HerbWalks.com.

Photo of Kaufer leading an Herb Walk on San Antonio Creek Trail by James Wapotich