PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2015
For interview or additional information, please contact:
Lanny Kaufer
(805) 797-2072
[email protected]
URBAN HERB WALK IN OJAI:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Now is the ideal time to plant native plants in your yard or garden. If
you have been thinking about — or already started — replacing your
water-intensive landscape with drought-tolerant native plants, please
join Ojai native plant guide Lanny Kaufer and special guest Renee
Roth of RainScape Designs for an Urban Herb Walk on Saturday,
November 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Cluff Vista Park in
downtown Ojai.
Kaufer and Roth will identify and discuss native plants in the context
of a professionally designed native landscape and show examples of
drought-tolerant alternatives to lawns and water-intensive plants.
Roth will focus on the water features in the park and discuss
landscape designs that harvest rainwater and are able to incorporate
riparian native plants. Topics will include collecting rainwater and
reusing greywater, building healthy soil that retains water and
reduces runoff, and using plant materials that conserve water and
provide habitat for wildlife or food and medicine for the landowners.
There are many reasons to embrace the use of California's wonderful
native plants in the landscape. Native plants have evolved with our
climate, geology and wildlife. They create beauty and interest with a
natural progression of fruit, flowers and seeds, and they furnish food
and cover for butterflies, birds and other wildlife. In addition, they are
adapted to our climate and soils, require little or no irrigation once
established, and seldom require fertilizer or pesticides.
Prior to the walk, from 8:00-9:30 a.m., Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
(OVLC) Stewardship Director Rick Bisaccia will lead a volunteer
garden maintenance project. The OVLC and the City of Ojai are
partners in the maintenance of the park. Please contact Marti Reid at
the OVLC at 805-649-6852 for more information and to sign up for
the volunteer project.
Light rain will not cancel the walk but heavy rain will. Status will be
updated for those registered as the day gets closer
The cost of the Herb Walk is $20 for adults or $15 for seniors 62-andup and fulltime students ages 13-18. Kids 5-12 can go along free, one
per adult, by prior arrangement. No dogs, please. No pre-payment is
required.
ABOUT LANNY KAUFER:
Lanny Kaufer is a retired high school teacher who has been leading
interpretive native plant walks and hikes on Ojai, Ventura, and Santa
Barbara trails since 1976 for groups of all ages. He is regarded as a
local expert on the edible and medicinal uses of indigenous and
naturalized plants.
Kaufer acquired much of his knowledge in field study with well-known
herbalists and ethnobotanists. He studied with the late William
LeSassier and has co-led workshops and expeditions with noted
herbalists such as the late Chumash plant expert Juanita Centeno,
the late Michael Moore, Michael Tierra, Amanda McQuade Crawford,
Dr. Fred Siciliano, Professor James Adams of USC, and Chumash
educator Julie Tumamait.
ABOUT RENEE ROTH:
Renee Roth is a landscape designer with a focus on water saving
plants and capturing rainwater/greywater for reuse in the landscape.
She has an Environmental Horticulture Certificate from SBCC, a
Greywaters Installers Certificate, a Green Garden Certificate, and a
B.S. from the University of Oregon. Along with design work, she
leads classes on rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse in the
landscape using climate appropriate plants. Locally, she volunteers
as a member of the Ventura River Watershed Council representing
the Ojai Valley Green Coalition and is Chair of Programs for the Ojai
Valley Garden Club.
Calendar Listing:
•
Urban Herb Walk in Ojai with Lanny Kaufer and Renee Roth
•
Saturday, November 14, 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
•
Learn identification of native plants and
greywater/rainwater design
•
Cost: $20 adults, $15 seniors and full-time students. Kids
5-12 free, one per adult. No dogs or toddlers, please.
•
Info/registration at www.HerbWalks.com or 805-646-6281
Submitted by Lanny Kaufer
[email protected]
805-797-2072 cell
Media: please contact me for additional information or for an
interview. Thanks for informing the public about this event!
Photo: Fountain at Cluff Vista Park by Doc Pierce