Arroyo Hondo Preserve Herb Walk

Pastel painting of pre-fire Hollister Meadow at Arroyo Hondo Preserve by Chris Chapman

Please be sure to use the REGISTER link below before returning to this page to click on the PayPal button to complete payment and secure your space. Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. To avoid that, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $40/person.

If the event sells out, PayPal will not accept your payment. You will see a message that says this event “is not available at this time” and you will be returned to this page. If that happens, be sure to click on the REGISTER button below to sign up for the waiting list. If spaces become available they will be filled based on date and time of registration.

Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

REGISTER

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County’s Arroyo Hondo Preserve has always been an amazing example of California’s biodiversity. The Montecito Journal describes it as “one of Santa Barbara’s most significant treasures.” Now that the Alisal Fire swept through it in October of 2021, it also serves as an example of the amazing regenerative power of Nature. On April 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., I’ll return for the first spring visit since the fire to observe how the land is regaining its legendary status as “the jewel of the Gaviota Coast.”

We’ll look in the creekside riparian habitat for the resprouting and re-emergence of Southern California native trees, including White Alder, California Bay, Blue Elderberry, Bigleaf Maple, and Coast Live Oak. Where the tree canopy used to be, we’ll seek out signs of the return of shade-loving native plants and herbs like Giant Horsetail, Gooseberry, Hummingbird Sage, Maidenhair Fern and Giant Chain Fern.