About us
This is a group for everyone who feels we've lost touch with our roots -- feeling lost that most urban dwellers no longer know how to grow and preserve food, find food, etc. We'll meet and discuss, and do hands-on workshops to get back to our fundamental skills of self-reliance. This is all about modern empowerment -- looking to the past to find meaning in the future. This is an opportunity to network with like-minded people and learn what they are doing, and to learn and practice new skills each time we meet.
Upcoming events
19

URBAN PREPAREDNESS — in view of the many recent Disasters
Hahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), 4550 Oak Grove Dr, La canada, CA, USTo attend and for exact location, Register HERE
Urban Preparedness can mean a life of self-reliance! But it also means you’re a bit more prepared for disasters such as an earthquake, or a flood, or a fire.
We will cover some of the basic elements that you should know in order to take care of yourself at home. This class is all about urban preparedness.
We’ll cover issues about WATER and how to store water in Los Angeles County. What FOODS should you store, and grow. We will also show (and cook) some wild foods. We will share how to COOK in your backyard if you can’t use your indoor stove. We will address first aid only minimally — we suggest you take a Red Cross course. We will share TOILET alternative that is relatively easy. We will also show some of the alternate devices to ELECTRICAL devices. And we’ll talk about the notion of a “bug out bag,” and some common sense, such as the benefits of joining Neighborhood Watch, or starting one, if one is not active in your neighborhood.
This class will include a short PLANT WALK to learn about edible and medicinal wild plants.
Location sent with registration
Books and products will be available for sale4 attendees
FORAGING WALK — WILD FOOD OUTING
Hahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), 4550 Oak Grove Dr, La canada, CA, USSaturday, May 9, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD FORAGING AND ETHNO-BOTANICAL WALKTo attend and for exact directions, register HERE
Join us for our outing where we explore the edible, medicinal, and other useful qualities of many of the plants found in the environment with many introduced plants. Both natives and non-natives will be seen. This will be leisurely and you will get a chance to taste some of the plants.
We will introduce a few basics of systematic plant identification, and ways you can take your own records. We’ll also bring up another important point: Many of the wild plants that we see — and especially the non-natives — can be easily cultivated in your own yard for ease of harvesting. Also, we’ll tell you about some of the local native plant nurseries where you can obtain native plants — such as toyon, ceonothus, oak trees, mulefat, elder, etc — and grow them in your own yards, which is an ideal situation.
Wear comfortable footwear and bring water. Bring a bowl for eating.
This class can be credited towards the Ethno-botany certificate.
Directions sent upon registration.
$65 (Seniors and students $45).6 attendees
MEDICINAL PLANT WALK
Arroyo, depends on the museum you choose, Pasadena, CA, US# MEDICINAL PLANT WALK
To attend and for exact location, register HERE
May 14 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
$30.00 – $45.00
Thursday, May 14, Noon. MEDICINAL PLANT WALK
When you study the floral wealth of the world, you find that many plants are very efficacious in healing many of our illnesses and symptoms. This is a unique and valuable survival skill!
Just a few generations ago, before everyone got hooked on drugs and hospitals, the knowledge of using wild and garden plants for common medical applications was common and normal. Our grandparents often foraged for their own medicinal plants in fields and backyards.
On our walk, we’ll see many of the local herbs used for medicine, and discuss some proven methods for dealing with common illnesses that are both proven and safe.
Location: Arroyo Seco, exact location sent upon registration.2 attendees
LUNCHTIME CLAY WORKSHOP
Hahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), 4550 Oak Grove Dr, La canada, CA, USTo attend and for exact location, Register HERE
October 1, Noon
At this class, you will see natural clay dug from the local hills.
You will learn the ways to process clay, and we will be doing one of those methods.
You will process clay, and attempt to make a useful item from the clay.
We won’t do any firing.
A great opportunity to get outdoors and learn another survival skills2 attendees
Past events
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