School of Self-Reliance

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES: WATER FOR LIFE -- ON-LINE
2022-10-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, October 28, 7 p.m.
WATER FOR LIFE: Finding it, Purifying it, Storing it
with a focus on the URBAN environment.
Everyone needs water, and no cities exist without a steady water supply. Where do we get our water, and how reliable is the supply?
We’ll explore survival sources of water in both the wilderness and the urban areas. Some will be surprising. We’ll look at the various ways to purify water – all four basic methods. And since you really should keep a supply of water in your home, we’ll share some of the simple ways to store water in your garage or closet.
There’s a lot to think about on this vital topic.
Join us for the class and the conversation that follows. www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com

(Qualifies towards our Weekend Warrior certificate)

Presented on Zoom
Link sent to registered students.
$20 ($15 seniors and students)

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES -- ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRICITY, and FIRE discussion -- ON-LINE
2022-11-11 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRICITY, with a discussion of FIRE-STARTING METHODS — ON-LINE
FRIDAY, November 11, 7 p.m.

Electricity is today a staple of modern life — and yet!! — most of us would be unable to function without it!
Let’s take a look at some of the simple alternatives to electricity, either because you want to live simply, or due to a blackout.
We’ll show the many refrigerator alternatives where food can be stored without electricity.
We’ll address the many manual tools that you can and should have.
We cover the many lighting alternatives, from past to present.
Of course, we know that solar power is a viable alternative too, and you’ll learn how to find out more if you want to get solar devices for your home’s lighting, or other electrical uses.

In addition, we’re going to talk about making fire, both in the wilderness and in the urban setting. Fire provides warmth, dries your clothes, cooks your food, purifies your water, etc. It is at the very foundation of human civilization.
Learn about the 4 Principles by which fire is made. We’ll cover all these methods, with many hints for your personal success.
ON-LINE
LINK IS SENT UPON REGISTRATION
$20 ($15 seniors and students).

BUSHCRAFT WORKSHOP -- TRAPS, TRIGGERS, DEADFALLS, NETS, CORDAGE ... and short plant walk
2023-01-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m.
BUSHCRAFT SKILLS: NETS, SPEARS, etc….
During this workshop, you will learn a series of classical bushcraft skills.
You will learn — by making — how to set a deadfall, make the triggers, and set up the quail trap.
You will also learn some basic cordage skills, like making cordage, making a usable net, making a brush, etc.

This class includes a short walk to learn about selecting the correct woods from the wild, and to identify some wild foods.
Bring your knife if you have one.

Location sent with registration. THIS CLASS APPLIES TO A BUSHCRAFT CERTIFICATE

THE ART OF LOCK-SMITHING
2023-03-18 10:00 - 13:30 UTC
Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.

Class size limited due to need for personal instruction. $5 of class fee is the cost of the tools you take home. (Additional tools available to purchase)
In this introduction to the art of lock-smithing, you will learn how a pin tumbler lock works (the most common lock on doors).
A pin tumbler lock is the most common lock found on homes. Understanding the inner-workings of a pin-tumbler lock, including how to re-key your lock and how to pick your lock are valuable pieces of knowledge while working toward self-reliance.
Our class will take you through the details of the pin tumbler lock and you will learn how pin tumbler locks are picked open. You will work through the process using locks that are super easy to pick through locks that are very difficult to pick. By class end you will understand exactly how this process works and you will find success opening several locks without keys, using only bypass tools.

You will work through various steps of difficulty from a single pin (to get the feel) to a 5 pin lock with a difficult pinning order.
We’ll look at high-security locks, pick guns, plug spinners, and other basic locksmith tools.
You will also learn how to proceed to more advanced studies in the field of lock-smithing.

Location sent out with registration.
$65.

TRADITIONAL ARROW-MAKING WORKSHOP, LUNCHTIME
2023-12-21 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
LUNCHTIME ARROW WORKSHOP
Thursday, September 14, Noon
You will learn at least two common methods that arrows were made in the past. This is a great bushcraft skill, and a great survival skill, with many applications.
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.
Location sent upon registration.
$45 ($30 senior/student)

free WILDERNESS SURVIVAL workshop with KEITH FARRAR
2024-01-31 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Wednesday, January 31, 6:30 p.m.
If you live close to the La Mesa/San Diego area, there will be a free 2-hour Wilderness Survival Seminar given by Keith Farrar (instructor at Wilderness Skills School and The School of Self-Reliance).
This program is FREE of charge, sponsored by Adventure-16 and held at Helix Brewing Company: 8101 Commercial St La Mesa, CA 91942.6:PM Social Gathering – Program runs 6:30PM to 8:30PM.
Feel free to read a bunch of stuff below if you desire:
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL is a mixture of ATTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and PROPER EQUIPMENT. Each component compliments the other. The knowledge component is understanding survival priorities and how to address each priority with the proper skills and equipment. Our program will teach you how to handle each priority, which will greatly boost your attitude when dealing with an actual survival situation. With this information you will learn how to put together a complete survival kit with components that you will understand how to use and that are easily acquired.
This program is for the hiker, mountain biker, backpacker, naturalist, or anyone that enjoys spending time in the outdoors. While we teach a mixture of modern and primitive skills, you will not be required to rub sticks together to make fire or build a leaf shelter, unless you want to. We approach these aspects with modern alternatives, making this program appropriate for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.
Keith Farrar has been involved with outdoor skills, primitive skills and wilderness survival for over 20 years, teaching the same for the last 10 years. He has been a State Park and National Park Service volunteer for the last 10 years, taking kids and adults on nature walks, as well as teaching First Aid, CPR and Stop the Bleed classes to park volunteers.Keith teaches for The School of Self Reliance , which has run for over 50 years and led by renowned author, ethnobotanist and survival skills instructor, Christopher Nyerges.

EAT TO YOUR HEALTH: A Wild Food Foraging Walk
2024-07-13 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m.
EAT TO YOUR HEALTH: Wild plant FORAGING
Your food should be your medicine! We will walk in a local area and learn which (wild) foods can be great food, and great medicine! You’ll learn about some of the nutritional values of the plants we see, and we’ll compare them with the common vegetables you buy in the store. The walk will be casual, along a riparian area with mixed native California plants and introduced exotic plants.
We will see a variety of the plants currently in season. Remember, we will see WILD FOODS and WILD MEDICINES, and these will be plants that might be growing in your backyard.
We will see both natives and non-native plants on this walk. You will learn how to use the plants for simple medical applications, and how to make simple salads and soups. Most of the plants we will see are widespread.

Location sent with registration.
Dress appropriately for the weather, and carry water. Bring a bowl for soup and salad!
$65 (seniors/students $45)

BUSHCRAFT: MAKING A PACK WITH JAMES RUTHER
2024-09-28 10:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m.
BUSHCRAFT with James Ruther, Master Carver of Spoons and other mundane artifacts

THE BAG OF HOLDING

Man has been trying to figure out how to carry more stuff around since the dawn of time. In this class, we’ll go back to the roots of the most basic types of packs and we will emphasize the do-it-yourself pack.

We’ll begin with the trousers pack (from Ruther’s favorite book “How to Survive Anywhere “), and then the hobo bag, and the basic Indian net pack. You’ll see how each of these is made.

Then, you will have a look at the Otzi pack. Otzi, or Iceman, was the man who had been buried for 5000 years in the Austrian Alps, and his bronze age gear has been studied extensively. You’ll see what Otzi carried, and how he made it. And today, in addition to teacher James Ruther, there will be a guest joining — the famous wilderness expert Nathan Machain who will also be showing his Otzi pack.

You will also learn about the Roycraft pack, and get a history of backpacks.

Each participant will be guided to make an historical bag to take one home — either the Roycroft pack or the net bag.

A true Bushcraft class, with skills that have stood the test of time.
Class will be approximately 3 hours, led by School of Self- Reliance staff member James Ruther, L.M.

This is an excellent introduction to a number of basic BUSHCRAFT skills! Learn from a real authority.
LOCATION sent with registration.
$65 ($45 for seniors and students)

SURVIVAL SKILLS, URBAN FOCUS, 5 weeks, on-line.
2024-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, October 25, 7 to 9 p.m., SURVIVAL SKILLS class, URBAN Focus, five weeks. On-line
Pasadena City College Extension. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost to college is $75.
Class topics include uses of wild plants for food and medicine, storing food and water, sources of water you hadn’t thought about, finding and purifying water, what to do when the power goes out, alternatives to the flush toilet, emergency shelters, tools, first aid, contents of a “survival pack,” and more. THE BEST BARGAIN IN TOWN!

We cover all the basics, and answer the many questions you may have.

Taught by Christopher Nyerges.

Bushcraft Skills: Fishing-related: Make a Fish Spear, net, etc. -- plus discussions of knives and tools -a Hands-on Workshop
2025-03-01 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.
BUSHCRAFT SKILLS: Making a simple FISH SPEAR, NET, and other Traps. PLUS discussion of survival knives and assorted tools.
. And a few other skills if time.
These are very basic bushcraft skills for taking fish to survive.
Bring your knife, since we’ll make a simple spear and learn its many variations. Also, how to make line and fish hooks.

Also we’ll make a basic net, and you’ll learn all aspects of this style of net-making, with its many applications.
Even if you never go fishing, these skills have multiple applications.

Hahamongna Watershed Park, Location 2 But please RSVP for exact location…

SURVIVAL SKILLS Class, ON-LINE
2025-03-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Friday, March 7, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., SURVIVAL SKILLS Class, Five Weeks, $75
One of the best deals in town!
on-line class
FIVE CONSECUTIVE FRIDAYS

Sponsored by Pasadena City College. Call (626) 585-7608 for information and registration. Cost to college is $75.
This course consists of five two-hour classes, on five consecutive Friday nights.
The Class topics include the following:
Wild Plants for food, medicine, and other uses, focusing on plants that are currently in season.
Everything we need to know about Water: How to find it, how to purify it, how to store water — and more.
How to make fire with both primitive and modern methods. You’ll learn the 4 Principles by which fire is made.
How to make and use a shelter when you get stuck in the outdoors. Simple lean-tos to more complicated shelters will be shown.
Tools and supplies will be discussed — you know, all the stuff you buy for your pack.
Other topics include natural navigation, finding fibre from natural sources and making cordage, dealing with no electricity or no toilet, and more.
The conversation and questions from students makes this lively and engaging. Taught by Christopher Nyerges.

INTRODUCTION TO BIRD-WATCHING AND BIRD LANGUAGE
2025-04-10 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for this special birding walk where you are introduced to the art of bird identification, and bird language.
Our teacher is Kayla Michael, from Wyoming, who is only here for a short while. Besides being a bird expert, Kayla bicycles wherever she can — she’s bicycled thousands of miles, and often spends time in remote wilderness areas. You’ll get to talk to her about her unique history as well

Bring binoculars if you have them!
Thursday, April 10, from Noon to 2.

$30.

SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE
2025-04-12 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. SURVIVAL SKILLS INTENSIVE
In this program, we will cover how to make fire with primitive methods without matches, as well as some modern methods.
We’ll learn how to build an emergency shelter, how to create soap from plants, and how to make cordage. All hands-on!
We will learn to find water and ways to purify water, identifying and using wild foods, and more.
Total walking about 1 and a half mile.

Dress comfortably and bring a notebook.
Pricing: $65. (Seniors/students $45)

A great day to get into the mountains with like-minded people.
This can be used as part of our “Weekend Warrior” Certification series.
Bring a bowl, knife, and water. Dress comfortably. Bring snacks if you need some. Bring your special tools if you want to share as part of a show and tell.

Books and products are available at all classes.

URBAN SURVIVAL SERIES -- FOOD and WATER STORAGE -- IN THE CITY
2025-05-29 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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?
Learn how to eat the older nopales

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!

$45 ($30 student/senior).

MAKE A GOURD, MAKE A SPOON!
2025-06-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
MAKE A GOURD! MAKE A SPOON!
Saturday, June 28, 10 am.
We’re going to practice traditional bushcraft skills. You will learn to clean and carve a gourd. We’ll wash and clean it, and cut it to create a bowl. You’ll learn by doing all the steps to have a functional bowl.

Then under the guidance of Spooncarver James Ruther, you will learn the details of making a useful spoon. You will cut the wood and learn the steps that it takes to reduce the wood to a functional and beautiful spoon.

Great skill for children and adults. Bring your knives if you have any. If not, we will have extras for you to use.

$65 ($45 for students and seniors)
This class qualifies if you’re working for the Bushcraft certificate
Books and knives will be available for sale.

GOURD WORKSHOP, mid-day
2025-07-10 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
mid-day GOURD WORKSHOP
Thursday, July 10, noon.

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.

$45. [$30 for seniors/students] RSVP for this one so we bring enough gourds! Location given after you register.

HEALING with NATIVE PLANTS with ENRIQUE VILLASENOR
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 UTC
Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m.
HEALING WITH NATIVE PLANTS WITH ENRIQUE VILLASENOR
ETHNO-BOTANY SERIES: – part of our certification program.

This is a rare opportunity to learn in the field with Enrique Villaseñor, associate of Dr. James Adams, and co-author of “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West.”
In this Session, we focus upon MEDICINAL PLANTS.
Enrique Villaseñor, a co-author of the book “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West”, will conduct today’s class on traditional medicinal plants. This class, as part of our Ethno-botanical series, will include a walk, and a workshop where students will learn how to make the healing medicines. Villaseñor will discuss the appropriate medicinal uses of elder, white sage, black sage, California sagebrush, mugwort, prickly pear cactus, and other plants that may be present on the trail. Students will learn specific recipes for making foot soaks, liniment, and other herbal medicines.

Enrique Villaseñor is a multi-ethnic Healer, naturalist, cyclist and author with indigenous ancestry. Enrique learned traditional healing from his mother and Dr. James Adams, Professor Emeritus from USC. As part of this process, Enrique has researched and taught traditional healing, participated in field studies, has co-authored several papers with Dr. James Adams, and is a co-author of the fourth edition of Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West.
In his 35 years as a teacher, he taught elementary, middle, and adult school, he was was an Instructional Advisor, where he focused on training teachers. Among his many other achievements, working with several agencies, he designed, built, and maintained the award-winning El Oro Way Habitat, a two-acre, outdoor classroom with primarily California native plants and trees.
NOTE: It is suggested that you bring a folding chair.
We’ll discuss some of the ideal literature about healing with herbs, and some of the herbs you can grow in your own yard.
Books will be available, as well as pre-made herbal linaments.
If you have special requests, let us know ahead of time.

THIS IS A FIELD TRIP. Location given after registration.
Class fee $65. (Seniors/students $45)
Cover of the latest edition
Note: Private field trips are available on arrangement.

SEASONAL FORAGING: Autumn session. Wild Food and Useful Plants by the Season
2025-09-27 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, September 27, 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.

palo verde 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

FREE SURVIVAL SKILLS LECTURE - BURBANK CENTRAL LIBRARY
2025-10-03 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Christopher Nyerges will speak about outdoor survival skills at the Burbank Central Library, Friday, October 3, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Library is located at 110 N. Glenoaks in Burbank.
You will learn about plants, water, fire, tools, all with an application to urban survival scenario and the need to possibly evacuate.
A short video will be shared.
Books by Nyerges will be available for purchase.
Survival School! – Burbank Public Library

MID-DAY NATURAL NAVIGATION CLASS
2025-10-23 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
October 23, noon
Getting around accurately is a valuable survival skill! Sometimes you have a compass and map, and sometimes you don’t.
In this two-hour class, you’ll learn how to construct a sun compass, and how you can use that to tell direction and time. This sun compass is nearly as accurate as your magnetized compass, and the “clock” is more accurately telling you local solar time — good enough for general purposes.

You’ll also learn some natural methods of telling direction, which are ages-old observations. You’ll learn which are worth remembering, and which are “old husband’s tales.”

We’ll also address how to identify constellations for telling directions, and how to navigate with only a compass. So bring your compass.

What we cover in our short time will depend upon how much time everyone needs to grasp the concepts. Location 2, Hahamongna Watershed Park.

MIDDAY GOURD WORKSHOP -- a Bushcraft skill!
2025-11-20 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, November 20, Noon to 2P
LEARN THE ART OF CREATING A CUP, BOWL, PLATE, OR SCOOP FROM THE HARD-SHELLED ORNAMENTAL GOURD

In this mid-day class, you will take a dried gourd and learn all the steps to turning it into a beautiful and functional plate, or bowl, or canteen, or even a scoop.
We’ll bring the tools you need, but if you have saws, files or rasps, bring them.

It’s not that hard to make a good functional gourd. We used to each make one before a week at Dirttime, and then if we cut it just right, we’d have a dish, and a bowl. Bushcraft skills? Survival Skill? Whatever you call it, it’s a great skill, and a great opportunity to meet with like-minded people.
$45 ($30 students/seniors)
location: 5835 Burwood Ave., Highland Park, cA 90042 — we will meet at the top of the hill…

PRIMITIVE to MODERN FIRE WORKSHOP
2026-01-31 10:00 - 14:00 UTC
HANDS-ON FIRE-MAKING WORKSHOP — January 31, 10 a.m.

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.

TOM BROWN III: Learn survival skills and outdoor awareness with the son of the famous Tracker...
2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
MEET TOM BROWN III AT THIS ON-LINE FREE CLASS.
FREE SESSION TO MEET TOM BROWN III. 7 P.M. pacific time.
This is a free introductory class. Additional classes are $100. each, or $300. for all 4 future Tom Brown III Classes (live or video replay).

Link for the free class: https://trackolytes.as.me/meet-T3

Link for the group of 4 classes for $300.00 (A $100.00 savings): https://trackolytes.as.me/Wisdom-of-Wilderness

Links for each separate class at $100.00 each
•Wilderness safety https://trackolytes.as.me/Wilderness-1
•Awareness: the most important skill in life https://trackolytes.as.me/Awareness1
•Edible plans and ethical foraging: https://trackolytes.as.me/edible-ethical
•Animal tracks and sign: https://trackolytes.as.me/Tracks-sign

INTRODUCING A SERIES OF 4 CLASSES

Tom Brown III, often known as T3, is a lifelong wilderness educator, nature photographer, and storyteller dedicated to carrying forward the ancestral skills and philosophies taught to him by his father, Tom Brown Jr. Tom or “T3” has been teaching for 26 years, And has a lifetime of practical experience in wilderness living, tracking, survival, and nature connection, And stewardship. Tom’s work focuses on helping people rediscover confidence, awareness, and a meaningful relationship with the natural world. His teaching blends practical skills, deep observation, and personal insight, making complex knowledge approachable and relevant for modern life.
During this collaboration with the School of Self-Reliance, Tom will be offering four foundational classes designed to build confidence, awareness, and self sufficiency in natural settings.
Wilderness Safety, Taking the Fear Out of Wild Places [on-line class on February 12]
This class focuses on mindset, preparation, and core survival priorities. Students will learn how to stay calm, make good decisions, and use a small set of essential items to dramatically increase their chances of success in emergency situations.
Awareness: The most important life skill. [on-line class on February 19]
Focused on moving quietly and efficiently through the landscape, this class explores posture, balance, awareness, and energy use. These skills improve tracking ability, personal safety, and overall connection to the environment.
Wild Edible Plants and Ethical Foraging [on-line class February 26]
This class teaches how to identify common wild edible plants while emphasizing safety, sustainability, and respect for the land. Students will learn how to forage responsibly and deepen their awareness of seasonal abundance.
Animal Tracks and Sign [on-line class March 5]
An introduction to reading the stories animals leave behind. Students will learn how to identify common tracks and signs, understand animal behavior, and sharpen observation skills that translate far beyond the trail.

Together, these classes offer a well rounded introduction to ancestral skills that foster self-reliance, awareness, and a deeper sense of belonging in the natural world.
We hope to see you at this FREE EVENT where T3 will delve a little bit deeper into the philosophy that drives him in his omnipresent quest to lead just one more person back to the Earth, so they can learn how to become human again.
Whether you are an absolute novice or seasoned outdoors person, I can guarantee you will learn many valuable techniques to apply every time we enter the wilderness!

https://trackolytes.as.me/meet-T3

TOM BROWN III -- CLASS ONE: WILDERNESS SAFETY
2026-02-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Link for the group of 4 classes for $300.00 (A $100.00 savings): https://trackolytes.as.me/Wisdom-of-Wilderness

Links for each separate class at $100.00 each
• Feb. 12, Wilderness safety https://trackolytes.as.me/Wilderness-1
•Feb. 19, Awareness: the most important skill in life https://trackolytes.as.me/Awareness1
•Feb. 26, Edible plans and ethical foraging: https://trackolytes.as.me/edible-ethical
•March 5, Animal tracks and sign: https://trackolytes.as.me/Tracks-sign

Tom Brown III, often known as T3, is a lifelong wilderness educator, nature photographer, and storyteller dedicated to carrying forward the ancestral skills and philosophies taught to him by his father, Tom Brown Jr. Tom or “T3” has been teaching for 26 years, And has a lifetime of practical experience in wilderness living, tracking, survival, and nature connection, And stewardship. Tom’s work focuses on helping people rediscover confidence, awareness, and a meaningful relationship with the natural world. His teaching blends practical skills, deep observation, and personal insight, making complex knowledge approachable and relevant for modern life.
During this collaboration with the School of Self-Reliance, Tom will be offering four foundational classes designed to build confidence, awareness, and self sufficiency in natural settings.
Wilderness Safety, Taking the Fear Out of Wild Places [on-line class on February 12]
This class focuses on mindset, preparation, and core survival priorities. Students will learn how to stay calm, make good decisions, and use a small set of essential items to dramatically increase their chances of success in emergency situations.
Awareness: The most important life skill. [on-line class on February 19]
Focused on moving quietly and efficiently through the landscape, this class explores posture, balance, awareness, and energy use. These skills improve tracking ability, personal safety, and overall connection to the environment.
Wild Edible Plants and Ethical Foraging [on-line class February 26]
This class teaches how to identify common wild edible plants while emphasizing safety, sustainability, and respect for the land. Students will learn how to forage responsibly and deepen their awareness of seasonal abundance.
Animal Tracks and Sign [on-line class March 5]
An introduction to reading the stories animals leave behind. Students will learn how to identify common tracks and signs, understand animal behavior, and sharpen observation skills that translate far beyond the trail.

Together, these classes offer a well rounded introduction to ancestral skills that foster self-reliance, awareness, and a deeper sense of belonging in the natural world.

Whether you are an absolute novice or seasoned outdoors person, I can guarantee you will learn many valuable techniques to apply every time we enter the wilderness!
SIGN UP HERE:
https://trackolytes.as.me/meet-T3

WILDERNESS SURVIVAL FOUNDATION COURSE
2026-02-21 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wilderness survival: “Foundation Course” — Led by Keith Farrar, James Ruther, and assorted ad hoc, adjunct assistants.

Wilderness Survival Foundation Course:

Not all who wander are lost, however, some are, which is why learning Wilderness Survival is critical.

In this Wilderness Survival Foundation Course, we address the priorities in a wilderness survival situation.
Learning what priority to address first and how to address each priority is the best way to understand what to do if you have to spend an unplanned night or two in the wilderness.

Each topic is addressed in such a way that you will have a thorough understanding along with hands-on experience with that skill. While each topic, on its own, can be a full multi-day class, you will be comfortable enough with what you learn at this foundation class –or curious enough — to go further in your learning experience.

James Ruther demonstrating how to make a survival net

Due to personalized instruction, class size is limited.

What to bring:
Please bring a camp chair, lunch (there is no time to leave for lunch), water, appropriate clothing for the weather a compass (if you have one) and any personal wilderness survival items you might like to discuss.

We start the class at 10:00 (please arrive a bit early) and we finish around 3:00. There will be a very short lunch break somewhere along the program.

There are several hands-on portions, including but not limited to:

Emergency Shelter Set-Up’s
Critical outdoor knots to facilitate emergency shelters
Fire making (modern & primitive)
Basic Compass use
Emergency Navigation
Signaling for rescue
Water Purification
Deadfall Traps

What is different about this class? So may survival instructors give a list of gear to carry….we teach what needs to be done, and from that information, you decide what gear to carry based on what you are comfortable using to facilitate each priority in a survival situation.

Keith has taught this program for over 15 years and feels your confidence in what to do in a wilderness survival situation will significantly increase with the knowledge gained in this class.

Learning about emergency shelters
$75. [$55 for seniors/ students]
Location sent out upon registration.
Keith Farrar demonstrates how to turn a tarp into an emergency shelter

MIDDAY FIRE WORKSHOP -- hands-on
2026-02-26 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Thursday, February 26, 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.

OJAI "OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS" WORKSHOP
2026-02-28 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 10 a.m.

Join me (Lanny Kaufer_)and renowned author/forager/survivalist Christopher Nyerges on Saturday, February 28, at Euterpe Farms in Ojai for an outdoor Foraging & Firemaking workshop. This workshop is based on Christopher’s many books, including Foraging California and How to Survive Anywhere.
Participants will:

learn to identify edible, medicinal, and useful plants and mushrooms
forage wild foods for our meal
learn the 4 basic principles of making fire and practice 2 or 3 ways of matchless firestarting
learn and practice hand drill firemaking
try bow drill firemaking with Christopher’s kit
enjoy a foraged meal cooked over a campfire
process acorns and/or black walnuts for eating, time permitting

The workshop will begin with a morning herb walk among the native plants on the fringes of Euterpe Farms, bordering the Ventura River Preserve. The afternoon workshop will take place in a grassy area. Everyone will have a chance to participate in all activities.

Javier shows the three book special

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:Registration at https://herbwalks.com/event/foraging-firemaking-workshop-with-christopher-nyerges-2/. 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).

FIBRE-CRAFT 101 (including introduction to basketry)
2026-03-28 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Saturday, March 28, 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)

WATER SURVIVAL: Learn the Essential Water Skills for wilderness or city
2026-04-02 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
LUNCHTIME WATER SKILLS
April 2, Noon

This will be an overview of WATER in the City and Wilderness. HOW to find water, how to purify it, how to store it.
Let’s learn and apply the skills that allow you to survive in the desert (and other) environments. Water, of course, is paramount. You’ll learn how to obtain water when none seems present, methods such as the well, solar still, transpiration bag, plants, etc.

Water is the most critical element of survival, and so you will learn the necessity of storing water, and how to store water.
How much water should you store? What sort of containers should you use?
How about rain water? Are any special precautions needed?
How about water purification? Learn different ways to purify water, under different circumstances. Learn how to make a make-shift water filter in an emergency.
An essential survival skill, in the wilderness or the city.
Depending on our time, we might learn to identify a few wild plants too.
You can apply this class towards our Certification program.
Location given after registration. Class fee $45. (Seniors/students $30)

Books and tools available for purchase at all classes…

New Class: OFF GRID COMMUNICATIONS
2026-04-11 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Class title: Off Grid Communications
April 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

THIS IS A NEW CLASS FOR US DUE TO REQUESTS FROM STUDENTS FOR THIS SPECIFIC INFORMATION.

Taught by Greg Birchfield and James Ruther

Greg Birchfield
James Ruther

We’ve all grown very dependent upon reliable communication systems, and yet…. in an emergency, we find they are not as reliable as we hoped. Most recently, there were widespread failures during the Eaton and Pacific Pallisades fires of Southern California.

In this class, we are going to explore the practical alternatives to your land-based cell phone. You will learn how to set up an emergency, or alternative, communication system, and you will learn what to buy, and what training you’ll need (to get a ham license, for example).

We will cover the following:

Radio – types of radios, shortwave, GMRS, AM, FM, Ham
Bands of radio
Bands – short distance, long distance, worldwide
Setting up a Comms plan for your people
Smartphone apps, Cell, Text, Radio
Enciphering
Repeaters and how to use them
Baofeng Radios – overview and what they’re good for
Better than Baofeng Radios and recommend
Meshtastic – what is it? How do I set it up? What’s it good for?
You will also learn some Morse code, and various low-tech local communication methods, such as signalling mirrors, whistles, clackers. If time, we’ll even address some of the Hobo codes from the depression era.
You will go home with a clear idea of what you should do next for your own family ‘s communication systems.
