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- LUNCHTIME NATURALIST WALKLa Cañada Flintridge, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Register HERE to attend and for exact location
We’ll walk into the Upper Arroyo, north of JPL, and explore the chaparral and riparian plants, and you will see the highly versatile yucca plant. Meet at the intersection of Ventura and Windsor in Altadena. From the Windsor exit of the 210 freeway, drive north on Windsor until Ventura, where you will have to carefully park in the parking area on the west side of the street, overlooking the Arroyo Seco. Then, we will drive north into the JPL East Lot, and walk from there.
We will explore the watershed and see native and non native plants, and learn about the edible, medicinal, and other useful qualities of the plants.
Carry your Water, and bring a camera. - IN DEPTH MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE PLANT WalkLa Cañada Flintridge, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Register HERE to attend and for exact location
# IN DEPTH MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE PLANT walk — with focus on chaparral and native plants
## May 24 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
$45.00 – $65.00
Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. MEDICINAL AND EDIBLE PLANT walk
CALIFORNIA FORAGING ….. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FORAGINGIn this walk, we’ll be looking at some of the common plants — wild — native and non-native, with a focus on the chaparral environment. A true California foraging class! You will see and learn about the edible, and medicinal, uses of these wild plants of the chaparral.
As Hippocrates said, our food should be our medicine. As we explore, we will identify many of the wild plants found along the trail. Most will be common plants that could be found in your backyard and local neighborhood which can be used for food and medicine in these times.
It’s often surprising to learn that some of the best medicine-foods are not grown on farms at all. Learn the two foods that author Michael Pollan suggests you eat.
Join us for this class and we’ll try some wild teas, soup, and probably more.
Bring water and bring your bowl.
Location sent upon registration. - URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES — FOOD and WATER STORAGE — IN THE CITYLa Cañada Flintridge, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Register HERE to attend and for exact location.
## May 29 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
$30.00 – $45.00
FOOD IN THE CITY. FOOD AND WATER STORAGE
Thursday, May 29, Noon
We will start with basic home food storage. What should YOU store? How long do these foods last? Can you dry some of your own foods?
We will also talk about the abundant food in the cities, if you know where to look: We will explore the trees on city streets, weeds, neighborhood gardens, and trading.What grows good in your yard? Are there food items from your trees and bushes? Do you have edible weeds? Do you grow prickly pear cactus?
We will cover the basics of securing a water supply, including local streams, and even rain and solar stills, as above. We will address various methods of water purification, such as SODIS. And we will share the many ways you can store water in your own home.
Traditional food storage involves drying, canning, picking, and freeze-dried. We’ll discuss each of these. In an emergency, you’ll want food not dependent on electricity for storage.
Learn some of the basics of food storage, and how to create your own food storage system. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! - FORAGING WALKABOUT: WILD FOOD & USEFUL PLANTSLa Cañada Flintridge, La Cañada Flintridge, CA
Register HERE to attend and for exact location.
# FORAGING WALKABOUT: WILD FOOD & USEFUL PLANTS, with Focus on FIRE and WEAVING plants
## May 31 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
$45.00 – $65.00
We will explore a watershed area, seeing native and introduced plants.
Our focus today will be to learn about those plants that are used for making FIRE and those which are used for WEAVING. You will also learn about various edible plants, and medicinal plants. And while we might collect some greens used to make soup, we want you to see the plants that will be used to make primitive fire. And if you’re interested in basketry, you will see the traditional plants used for cordage and weaving.On our walk, you will learn how to identify these plants, and learn how to properly harvest.
Join us for an insightful walk into a wild area, and learn about useful plants.
Back at the tables, we will show how to make the parts of a fire kit, and you will get a chance to try it yourself. And we will also demonstrate simple basketry techniques as well.Dress comfortably and bring water. Bring a bowl for eating. The trail will be more or less flat.
Location sent after registration.
$65 [seniors/students $45).
