Join our Forest Academy 2026 with a focus on Flora and Fauna and deepen your understanding of the plants, wildlife, and ecosystems of Los Padres National Forest.
Forest Academy is a four-part outdoor learning series led by ForestWatch and noted experts in the field. Each of the four events in the series will be held in a different location in or near the Los Padres National Forest. Explore the forest with us and learn about our wild lands and its inhabitants.
The first event in the series is a native plant walk on March 7th, 2026, with Lanny Kaufer and Patrick Tumamait. Two local leaders who are known for their connection, reverence, and knowledge of our lands and its native plants.
Take a walk with them on Shelf Road, one of Ojai’s most beloved and popular trails. On the north side of the road, it borders Los Padres National Forest and to the south, a nice view of the entire valley, a perfect place to talk about Chumash history, the name Awhai for the valley, European settlement, and other culturally relevant topics before we move on to identify native plants and discuss their many uses.
Lanny Kaufer has been leading Herb Walks in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since 1976, educating scores of locals and visitors on the flora of the area with a focus on herbs that can be used for food and medicine. As an herbal educator, Lanny also leads workshops and presentations throughout the Ojai-Ventura-Santa Barbara area on the edible and medicinal uses of California plants.
Patrick Tumamait, an Ojai local, who along with his sister, Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, can trace their family lineage from their father to at least 11 known Chumash villages and as far back as the mid-18th century. Patrick continues to represent the Chumash at powwows and other events and gatherings, as well as working as a Native Chumash representative monitoring excavation sites in consultation with archeologists in the event of any findings.
To sign up for the whole series: https://forestwatch.org/event/forest-academy-event-series/
Each event will have individual tickets available if space allows – released closer to the date.
More information including location, directions, and suggested reading materials will be sent to those who register.
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