School of Self-Reliance

EARTH DAY WILD FOOD AND NATURE WALK
2026-04-25 14:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
SPECIAL EARTH DAY NATURE WALK 2 P.M.

Elder flower and fruit. Photo by Helen Wong.
Join us for this Special Earth Day Plant and Nature walk at Hahamongna Watershed Park. 2 p.m.
We will explore some of the native and non-native plants, and learn about medicinal plants as well.
This is just two hours in the afternoon, but bring water and snacks if needed. We might make a simple wild food soup, so bring a bowl just in case.
SPECIAL: Buy a ticket and bring a friend for free!
Hope to see you there!
More details on location sent when you register.

URBAN PREPAREDNESS -- in view of the many recent Disasters
2026-05-02 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Urban Survival Guide, by Nyerges
Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.
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 sale

FORAGING WALK -- WILD FOOD OUTING
2026-05-09 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
May 9, 10 a.m

Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD FORAGING AND ETHNO-BOTANICAL WALK
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).

MEDICINAL PLANT WALK
2026-05-14 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE -- An Field Overview of all the Skills you NEED
2026-05-23 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
May 23, Saturday, 10 a.m.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE
May 23, 10 a.m.
$75 ($55 for seniors and students)

Here’s a chance to practice all of the basic skills that are considered the essential skills. We will do a little bit of everything, and try to keep hiking to a minimum.
Knowledge of plants and their many uses is a critical skill that relates to every other skill. You will learn how to identify key plants, and how to use them for food, medicine, fire-making, cordage, and more.
Fire-making is an essential survival skill, and you should always have a few ways to make fire. On this class, you will practice primitive fire-making, as well as cooking, and water purification.
Along the way, you will learn about emergency shelters, how to make cordage, and more.
A great day to get into the mountains with like-minded people.
Location details sent upon registration. Bring a bowl, knife, and water.

Books by Nyerges available at class.

MIDDAY FIRE WORKSHOP -- hands-on
2026-05-28 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, May 28, Noon.
LUNCHTIME FIRE WORKSHOP

SURVIVAL, BUSHCRAFT, SELF-RELIANCE!
Primitive skills are very popular, and the ability to make fire without matches is at the top of the list.
We will practice a few of the primitive methods of fire-starting methods, and you will learn some of the secrets that come from years of experience.
You will get to practice the bow drill, the hand drill, flint and steel, and the fire piston.

We will also go for a short walk (if time) so you can see the types of woods that are best for making fire, and the tinders that are best for getting your fire to light.
And enjoyable gathering. Bring a bowl and water.
And yes, you will learn about a few wild plants at this class as well.

Location sent when you register — most likely Hahamongna.

FORAGING WALKABOUT: WILD FOOD & USEFUL PLANTS, with Focus on FIRE and WEAVING plants
2026-05-30 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
FORAGING USEFUL WILD PLANTS — for FOOD, FIRE, WEAVING, MEDICINAL, and UTILITARIAN —
May 30, 10 a.m.
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 food, making fire, and weaving. You will 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.
Actual networking!

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).

LUNCHTIME EXPLORATORY NATURE WALK
2026-06-04 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, June 4, noon
EXPLORATORY NATURE WALK
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.
Carry a water bottle.
RSVP for exact directions to location.

WILD FOODS: TRADITIONAL ACORN PROCESSING WORKSHOP --
2026-06-06 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
PROCESSING WILD ACORNS — FROM RAW ACORN TO DELICIOUS PANCAKES!

Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m.
$65 ($45 for students and seniors)
TRADITIONAL ACORN PROCESSING

This Session is a complete lesson on the historical value of the ACORN in west coast native societies, along with some nutritional information. You will then go through the entire process of turning the raw acorn into a delicious food. You’ll shell, grind, leach, test, leach some more, and blend with a few other ingredients to make acorn food products.
If you didn’t already know this, ACORNS are a Super-Food, not simply squirrel food. They contain all the amino acids! Native Americans of the Americas understood this and regularly processed and consumed acorn products. In fact, acorns have been used for food by many cultures the world over. They are still commonly used in Korean dishes. In the U.S., the use of the acorn is experiencing a revival.
We will also prepare a few other wild food dishes, depending on what is in season.
There will be minimal walking today, but still bring your field notebook.
This can apply to an Ethno-botany certificate.
Location sent upon registration.
Pricing: $65 per class. (Seniors/ students $45)

Francisco offers freshly-made acorn pancakes

Books by Nyerges available at Classes

ETHNOBOTANY SERIES: WILD and USEFUL PLANTS, Session One
2026-06-20 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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, June 20, 10 a.m.

Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. ETHNO-BOTANY
WILD FOOD & USEFUL PLANTS ( part of our certificate and certification program.)
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 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 dish 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 TRAPS,TRIGGERS, PRIMITIVE WEAPONRY WORKSHOP
2026-06-25 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn to make traps, triggers, snares, deadfalls — learn by doing!
Thursday, June 25, noon
Note: We do not go out and try to kill or trap animals when we do this class.
We recognize that hunting and fishing are long-established methods of putting food on the table, especially during times of hardship and emergency. Though I have never really been what you’d call a “hunter,” I always wanted to know how to capture and clean animals for food, if I had to. I learned originally how to clean animals by using roadkill, and fish that I caught. Later, I learned how to make and use primitive traps from various sources, such as Paul Campbell and Larry Dean Olsen. So if you’re like me, and just want to know how to make these devices “just in case,” please come to the class.
We’ll meet in the Arroyo Seco to learn which woods are best for traps and triggers. Then’ we’ll work on carving a deadfall trigger, a trigger for a quail trap, and more.

You’re learn by doing. Bring your knife! (We have extras if you don’t have one)

We’ll see edible and medicinal plants. Bring your canteen.

SEASONAL FORAGING -- WILD FOOD AND USEFUL PLANTS BY THE SEASON
2026-06-27 10:00 - 13:30 UTC
SEASONAL FORAGING — SUMMER
Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.

This series of field trips occurs one per season, so you can learn to see nature through the seasons, from a forager’s perspective.
The essence of this class is to develop seasonal knowledge and observational skills: How to look, where to look, what to look for. Plus, we will also focus on responsible and sustainable gathering methods, including collection of seeds and cuttings so you can grow plants in your own backyard.
You’ll learn how to identify and collect foods, medicines, soaps, fire-materials, and other useful parts of plants. You’ll learn to think like foragers of the past, who had to have an intimate knowledge of the seasons, and foresight for the future. (For example, sometimes you do NO foraging in an area if the plant or seed is not abundant.)

Join us each quarter for an insightful walk into a wild area, with a focus on interpreting what’s available that season. Each session will include demonstrations, hands-on practice, and sampling of the seasonal foods, such as salad, soup, biscuit, or tea. Each session includes a list of what is normally available in that season.
SUMMER
In this period, there usually has not been rain for awhile, so the environment is a bit drier. Most of the early spring vegetation is mature. However, there are some greens that develop a bit later and are typically found in summer, such as purslane, and lamb’s quarter. This is also the time for many of the fruits to be collected, such as wild cherries, manzanitas, and the ceonothus berries which are used for soap. The acorns are starting to mature. You’ll learn what’s in season in this traditional “harvest” time, and how to collect sustainably, and responsibly.

Location sent out with registration.

Applies to our Ethnobotany certificate

LUNCHTIME FORAGING WALK - Learn Plant ID, Learn edible plants
2026-07-09 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, July 9, Noon, LUNCHTIME PLANT ID WALK
Ever wondered what sort of useful plants grow right in the city, including medicinal plants? We’ll explore a unique one-acre wildlife sanctuary in the Highland Park area where we will see native plants, cultivated plants and many of the plants so typical of the urban areas.
You will be able to collect samples. There is also a greenhouse on -site where you can purchase potted plants to take home to your garden.
We will learn about the food uses, medicines, fibres, and more. Our discussion will revolve around ethical foraging, and you will be able to collect greens to take home, and cuttings in some cases. There is also a nursery on the site where you can purchase various potted plants to take home.
We’ll also make a simple salad so you can taste some of the in-season foods! An excellent opportunity to see and taste some of the plants that everyone living in this area will encounter most of the time.

We will also review the Botanical Families that are entirely safe. A good time to review.
Bring a bowl!
A great survival skills for the ages.

Location is 5835 Burwood Ave., off Figueroa in Highland Park. Park on the street and we’ll walk up the dirt road into the one acre sanctuary.
Bring a bowl, and water. Be sure to RSVP.
Learn how to eat the older nopales

WILD FOOD COOKING and SURVIVAL discussion
2026-07-11 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD COOKING and discussion.

On our walk, we will learn to recognize wild foods of the area, and we will collect samples for our meal. Previously collected foods will be brought also for you to prepare into our meal.

Besides our short walk, you will then make a fire, and prepare a salad, soup, a mixed dish, pancakes, and a few other dishes, depending on what we find. Then we can sit around the table and talk, ask questions, consider the future. We’d love to have you join at this end-time of the year.

Bring your bowl! And bring water for the walk.
Location sent out to registrants.
$65 ($45 for students and seniors)

THANKSGIVING SEASON -- WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP -- INCLUDING ACORN PROCESSING
2026-11-21 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.
WILD FOOD COOKING WORKSHOP
Join us as we do a short walk to forage wild foods that are in season, and learn how to recognize what is available now.
We’ll then gather and prepare the various wild foods, along with some that we have brought, including ACORNS. You will work together to create a salad, a soup, an egg dish, acorn pancakes, tea, and some sort of desert items. We’ll have mushrooms if we find any.
Learn how to eat the older nopales
It’s worth noting that when the first peoples of Hahamongna lived here, they relied on the plant and animal life for their sustenance. You will just be getting a small taste of what that would have been like. And it is worth noting that the majority of the wild foods that are available today are mostly European invasive plants, plants that the first peoples would not have had.

Bring your notebook and camera, and bring your water and bowl. This is not a spectator sport, so be prepared to process greens, make the fire, and cook.
$65 ($45 for seniors and students)

FORAGING BY THE SEASON: WINTER
2026-12-19 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, December 19, 10 a.m.
FORAGING BY THE SEASON: WINTER

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WINTER FORAGING in the West: What are the seasonal greens, nuts, seeds, berries, roots, etc. that are available now?
This series of Seasonal Foraging occurs once per season, where you can learn to see nature through the seasons, from a forager’s perspective. The essence of this class is to develop seasonal knowledge and observational skills: How to look, where to look, what to look for. Plus, we will also focus on responsible and sustainable gathering methods, including collection of seeds and cuttings so you can grow plants in your own backyard. See web site for details.
The essence of this class is to develop seasonal knowledge and observational skills: How to look, where to look, what to look for. Plus, we will also focus on responsible and sustainable gathering methods, including collection of seeds and cuttings so you can grow plants in your own backyard.

You’ll learn how to identify and collect foods, medicines, soaps, fire-materials, and other useful parts of plants. You’ll learn to think like foragers of the past, who had to have an intimate knowledge of the seasons, and foresight for the future. (For example, sometimes you do NO foraging in an area if the plant or seed is not abundant.)
Join us each quarter for an insightful walk into a wild area, with a focus on interpreting what’s available that season. Each session will include demonstrations, hands-on practice, and sampling of the seasonal foods, such as salad, soup, biscuit, or tea. Each session includes a list of what is normally available in that season.

WINTER
This is the time when we begin to get our rains, and we can begin to see the hillsides and valleys greening-up. Learn to identify young seedlings and sprouts, and which are already edible. Learn to identify those locations where you can come back to later. Some fruits that occur in early spring, and we’ll discover those. This would also be the time to collect cuttings for sprouting, so you can grow these plants at your own home. Mushrooms are beginning now.
LOCATION: We will explore a foothill canyon in the Angeles National Forest. Details sent upon registration.
