What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- GOURD WORKSHOP, mid-dayHahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), La canada, CA
To attend and for exact location, register HERE
Here’s another ancient skill that you’ll enjoy learning. Each person will work on turning an ornamental gourd into a bowl for eating, or perhaps a canteen, ladle, or plate.
There are several skill sets involved, and we’ll talk you through them so you’ll understand the mechanics of making a gourd that you’ll be happy to use.
We’ll bring tools, but if you have a good knife, hacksaw, fine files, bring them! Not a highly-complicated craft, but requires patience. You will select a gourd that we bring, and clean it, decide where to cut it — no two gourds are alike — and then clean the inside and smooth the sharp edges. You’ll end up with a new skill and a bowl or dish that you can use right away.
You’ll also get to take seeds home so you can grow your own if you have the space. - ETHNOBOTANY SERIES: WILD and USEFUL PLANTS, Session OneHahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), La canada, CA
To attend and for exact location - Register HERE
Ethno-botany 101. Learn about how to study wild plants, how to identify families, how to keep records. This is your introduction to the art of Foraging, and Medicinal Plants.
Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m.This Session begins with a plant walkabout, getting to know some of the common local plants.
We’ll then cover some basic botany, so you have a sense of context of the types of plant groups, as well as their relationships in Families.
You will be instructed in the use of the plant press for your record-keeping, and how to make field records for your own use.
You can take just this session by itself, or sign up for all four. [IF you pay in advance for Four of the Ethno-botany classes, you can pay for 3 and attend 4!]
We will also try a wild food salad as part of this class.
Bring notebook. Pricing: $65 per class. ($45 senior/student)
Location sent upon registration. Books and products will be available for sale. - LUNCHTIME EXPLORATORY NATURE WALKUpper Arroyo Seco - JPL, Altadena, CA
To attend and for exact location, please register HERE
We’ll explore the perimeter of this section of the Arroyo Seco and find some of the in-season wild edibles, and medicinal plants, and we’ll view the overall basin.
Along this footpath, we will find foods, medicines, and several plants used for weaving and basketry. We’ll learn about the woods that were used for shelter, and fire, and discuss how some of the rocks were used in the past. We’ll also see many of the “invasive” non-native edibles. - TRADITIONAL ARROW MAKINGHahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), La canada, CA
Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m., TRADITIONAL ARROW MAKING
$65 ($45 for seniors and students)
To attend and for exact location - Register HEREBUSHCRAFT SKILLS
This is one of the fundamental bushcraft skills that all hunter-gatherers needed to know. You might make a new bow every year, but you had to make arrows all the time.
In this class, you will learn the basic parts of the arrow, and how an arrow can be very simple, or more complex.
You will learn at least two common methods that arrows were made in the past. You will learn each step of making the traditional arrow, and then each student will make one. You will learn all the steps along the way, from selection of wood, shaft straightening, to adding the nocks, points, and feathers.
Bring your knife, and fine files if you have them. Otherwise, tools will be provided.
What’s more important? The bow, or the arrow? Obviously, the arrow, since it is the projectile that flies through the air. It must be straight, and properly aligned.
Nearly every society of the past used archery for hunting, and that meant LOTS of arrows. You’ll learn that there are several ways to make an arrow that will shoot straight, and you will make at least two.
Again, bring whatever tools you might have.
Cost is $65, with a senior and student rate of $45.
Be sure to RSVP. LOCATION 2. Hahamongna Watershed Park, on Pasadena’s west side, bordering with La Canada. Enter the park from Oak Grove and Foothill, and drive into the park, staying on the upper road (do NOT make that left turn an drive downhill), until you see the outdoor bathroom. Park there.
