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- BASIC NATURAL NAVIGATION, AND ORIENTATIONHahamonga Watershed County Park (formerly Oak Grove), La canada, CA
To attend and for exact location, register HERE
What are some of the tried-and-proven methods for navigation that people have used for centuries?
We’ll begin with observations of the terrain — shadows, looking at trees, moisture, feeling rocks, insect signs, etc.
We’ll learn how to use the stars, the sun, the moon, for navigation, including how to read the natural terrain. These are skills that our grandparents took for granted, but as we rely more and more on technologies, we have forgotten these very basic skills.
Yes, you’ll also learn the basics of how to read a map, how to use a compass, how to align the map with a compass, and ways to navigate the terrain with these tools.
You’ll discover how to use the Star Dial to tell time, here displayed by James Ruther.
We’ll do exercises to test your new skills. Bring a notebook.
Believe it or not, you’ll also learn a few fire-making skills at this class!
Location sent with registration
$65 (Students and seniors, $45)
This class can be applied towards Bushcraft Certificate - 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!
