PRIMITIVE to MODERN FIRE WORKSHOP
2026-08-15 10:00 - 14:00 UTC
HANDS-ON FIRE-MAKING WORKSHOP — August 15, 10 a.m.

FIRE! Yes, it can be dangerous, and yet, it can save your life. Uncontrolled, fire can be devastating. Yet, once you learn how to make and control fire, it’s possibly one of your most important survival skills since you use fire to stay warm, to purify water, to cook food, to signal, to make tools, etc. etc.
Learn how to make fire by several primitive methods. You will learn the 4 Principles by which fire is generated: friction, the sun, chemicals, and electricity. You will practice several of these, and learn the best techniques for mastery.

You will use reflectors and magnifying glasses, batteries, flint and steel, the bow, the hand drill, the piston, magnesium and others.
You will learn by doing. You goal will be to create an ember, and “mother” it to a flame. You will learn which woods are best, and how to process your woods.
A short walk will be included to see which plants are best for your fire-making kit.

This class applies to our Bushcraft Certificate.
Location 2. Details sent with registration.
Copies of our books are available at all classes.

FORAGING WALK -- WILD FOOD OUTING
2026-08-22 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m

WILD FOOD FORAGING AND ETHNO-BOTANICAL WALK
The lost art of foraging for one’s meals is experiencing a renaissance as we are seeking to learn the uses of the many wild plants growing everywhere.
Learning about some wild foods imparts a feeling of self-confidence. You can use wild foods and wild herbs in times of need, or just because you want to add these nutritious foods into your daily diet.
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).

LUNCHTIME TRAPS,TRIGGERS, PRIMITIVE WEAPONRY WORKSHOP
2026-09-10 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Learn to make traps, triggers, snares, deadfalls — learn by doing!
Thursday, September 10, noon
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.

WILD FOODS: TRADITIONAL ACORN PROCESSING WORKSHOP --
2026-09-12 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
PROCESSING WILD ACORNS — FROM RAW ACORN TO DELICIOUS PANCAKES! SEPTEMBER 12, 10 a.m.

Saturday, September 12, 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

LUNCHTIME PLANT WALKABOUT
2026-09-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, Noon, September 17

Come take a walk in the canyon, learning about the bounty of nature’s flora. We will see natives and non-natives and explore this unique part of the Arroyo Seco south of the bridge.

We’ll see wild herbs, native plants, and more. A short walk, getting out in nature, and connecting with the skills of our ancestors.

We will see many of our native plants, and also many of the introduced non-natives.
PAY FOR ONE, BRING A FRIEND!

SEASONAL FORAGING: Autumn session. Wild Food and Useful Plants by the Season
2026-09-19 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 19, 10 a.m. WILD FOOD AND USEFUL PLANTS BY THE SEASON

This series of workshops, one per season, will show you 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.

wild radish seeds
Learn how to eat the older nopales

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. Each session includes a list of what is normally available in that season.

AUTUMN
In early autumn, it is usually dry, and plants are in a dormant phase. It’s typically hot, and dry. Streams will be dry, or running low. You’ll only find the hardiest of plants for eating, such as mustards. There still might be some manzanitas left to collect, and the acorns will just be starting to mature and to fall. Though it’s still early for toyon berries, you’ll be able to observe what sort of crop will be coming. You’ll be able to take note of what to look for in the next few months.
You never know what to expect, but you might find some greens as well, usually the hardiest greens, and the late-blooming greens. This is a good way to look at the environment at a lean time, with an eye to the future.
We’ll also share a few bushcrafting skills.

Location: San Gabriel Mountains. Meeting location to be sent upon registration.
Class fee:$65. (student/senior $45)
www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com

NOTE: We offer a program where you can work at our non-profit in Highland Park doing various tasks, and earn your way to classes. Contact us at christopher_nyerges@yahoo.com

LUNCHTIME FORAGING WALK - Learn Plant ID, Learn edible plants--
2026-09-24 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, September 24, 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.

Bring a bowl, and water. Be sure to RSVP.
Learn how to eat the older nopales

FIBRE-CRAFT 101 (including introduction to basketry)
2026-09-26 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. FIBRE-CRAFT 101:
The Art of Turning Plant Fibres into Bags, Baskets, Nets, String, Sandals.
We’ve had some requests for a BASKETRY Workshop. This class will include Basketry basics, though this class will not be only basketry.
The art of working fibre is nearly a lost art. You’ll learn to recognize some of the common plants which yield a useful fibre, and learn how to work them into strings, and baskets, and nets, and sandals, and more. In the old days of the Southwest, the lives of the people were literally tied together with fibre: for shelter, for clothing (hats, belts, shoes), fishing nets, bags, weaponry, fire-making, brushes, looms for fabric.
In the past, most people had a more intimate connection to plant fibres. There are so many practical applications, though today someone makes everything we use. So it’s become a lost art.
You will learn how to process a few plant fibres and how to make them into a usable product!

Actual networking!

We will do a short walk (if time) and learn about some of the plants that are useful for weaving, and making cordage.
You will then learn by making some of the useful products.
Along the way, you’ll also see many of the other useful and edible plants of the area.
NOTE: PLEASE RSVP SINCE WE NEED TO PLAN TO BRING SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES!
$65 (Seniors and students $45)

MIDDAY FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP
2026-10-08 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, October 8, Noon.
midday FIBRE AND YUCCA WORKSHOP IN THE ARROYO
This is one of our Ethnobotany class series.
We’ll be in a section of the Arroyo Seco and learn about some the history and unique plant-life of the area.
We’ll see edible and medicinal plants on our short walk, and will learn some basics about making cordage, nets, and bags.
You will practice hands-on making cordage, nets, bags, brushes, etc. A very good introduction to this ancient art.

Bring your canteen.
Location — you’ll get details upon registration.
$45 ($30 senior and students).

WILD PLANT OUTING, with focus on Medicinal Plants
2026-10-10 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m.
WILD PLANT OUTING
We’ll learn about Medicine plants
and Edible plants

Toyon berries

Folks, this will be an excellent way to see what’s in season and to try some of the wild edibles. We will go on a short walk to explore an area and learn about the wild plants, and their edible and medicinal uses.
We will study the diverse flora and we’ll have an opportunity to make a fire and do some light cooking.

Students examining fresh chicken-of-the-woods
Come and enjoy your time outdoors learning about plant and how they can be used for Medicine, teas, salads, and soups.

A casual walk, exploring the local area, where you will get a chance to see the wild herbs and learn of their uses. We will emphasize the medicine, though we will also look for wild edibles.

Back to the tables, we will prepare something to eat, so bring your bowl.

Hahamongna Watershed Park; exact meeting spot given upon registration.

Bring water, a bowl, and knife. Bring your snacks if necessary.

MIDDAY FIRE WORKSHOP -- hands-on
2026-10-22 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, October 22, 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 more.

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.

OJAI FALL HARVEST WORKSHOP
2026-10-24 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
SATURDAY, October 24,9am

Join me and my special guest — renowned author-forager-survivalist-educator Christopher Nyerges — on Saturday, October 24, at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center in Ojai for an all-outdoors Fall Harvest Workshop. This workshop is based on our many years of foraging and teaching and Christopher’s many books, including Foraging California and How to Survive Anywhere.
Enrollment includes:

Plant Identification: Learn to identify edible, medicinal, and useful plants.
Acorn & Black Walnut Processing: Practice all aspects of processing and preparing local wild foods.
Primitive Firemaking: Watch a live bow drill firemaking demonstration by Christopher.
Wild Food Tasting: Enjoy acorn pancakes cooked over an open campfire.
Museum Access: Tour the mini-museum inside the Visitor Center.

The day will begin with a carpool-caravan into the mountains, followed by a morning plant identification walk among the native plants on the beautiful Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail. The trail follows the North Fork of Matilija Creek in the Los Padres National Forest. The afternoon workshop will take place in the picnic area at the Visitor Center. Everyone will have a chance to participate in all activities.
Before we leave our carpool-caravan location in town with cellphone service, Christopher and I will have our mobile bookstores on display, including copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, and several of Christopher’s many books, available for sale and signing.
This event in the Los Padres National Forest is presented by Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer under a Special Use Permit from the U. S. Forest Service for wilderness outfitters and guides. Herb Walks with Lanny Kaufer is an equal opportunity service provider.

After the workshop, Christopher and I will have our mobile bookstores on display, including copies of my book, Medicinal Herbs of California, and several of Christopher’s many books, available for sale and signing.

Christopher Nyerges is an author, forager, survivalist and ethnobotanist with a lifelong interest in how native peoples lived off the land. He has been teaching classes and leading field trips since 1974 to over 40,000 students. Nyerges has authored nearly two dozen books, including Foraging California, How to Survive Anywhere, Guide to Wild Foods, Nuts and Berries of California, Extreme Simplicity, and many others. Chicago Review Press, the publishers of the late Larry Dean Olsen’sOutdoor Survival Skills, asked Christopher to lightly edit the 7th edition of that classic book and add color photos and a new foreword.
Christopher was the editor of American Survival Guide magazine and served as editor of Wilderness Way magazine for 7 years. He has written several thousand newspaper and magazine articles in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star News, Pasadena Weekly, Whole Life Times, Countryside, Mother Earth News, Acres USA, American Survival Guide, and others.
He has appeared on the late Huell Howser’s public television series on California, KCET’s “Life and Times,” and National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers.” For two years, he appeared on Fox TV’s “X Show,” where he demonstrated survival skills on the streets of Los Angeles. He currently serves as a consultant to the “Naked and Afraid” show on Discovery. Christopher Nyerges’ web site is SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com.
REGISTRATION INFO:
https://herbwalks.com/event/fall-harvest-workshop-with-christopher-nyerges/

Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email with all necessary info, including weather forecast and parking directions, a few days prior to the workshop. They also will receive a follow-up email afterwards with a list of all plants identified and used, recipes, and more.
The cost for the workshop, including all materials, is $85 for adults and $45 for children under 18 (one per adult).

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE -- An Field Overview of all the Skills you NEED
2026-11-14 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
November 14, 10 a.m.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE
November 14, 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.

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.
