Experience a slow, immersive nature connection walk that honors ancient human practices found in Indigenous Knowledge worldwide. Unlike a typical naturalist walk, our gathering focuses on relaxation, sensory observation, and being present in the moment rather than on plant names. This integrative mindfulness practice allows you to notice things in new ways, letting go of distractions. Discover the health benefits of Forest Bathing as we reset our nervous systems, reduce stress hormones, and enhance mood, creativity, and cognition. Through this experience, we reconnect with the Interconnection of All Things and our relationship with the Earth. The event concludes with a soothing tea made from native plants and wholesome snacks, offering a nourishing end to our journey. Join us for a profound exploration of nature's wisdom and our place within it.

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Solar eclipses are a spectacular cosmic phenomenon. Join Katrina Espiritu, a restful retreat guide, to observe this celestial event and view the eclipse atop a beautiful hill that is perfect for viewing. During this 2.5 hour gathering, we will immerse ourselves in nature’s tranquility and quiet reflection with meditation, journaling and a tea ceremony.

While Southern California may not be in the direct pathway of the full total eclipse, we are fortunate to witness a partial eclipse, offering a glimpse of the awe-inspiring celestial alignment.

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Lead by local avian biologist, Peter Larramendy. Participants will learn the basics of birding, such as common birds of the Ojai Valley, diagnostic field marks, important habitat types of the Ojai Valley and those around Taft Gardens, and much more! Peter has over ten years of professional experience working in avian studies around southern California. Whether you're new to birding or a seasoned enthusiast, our event will deepen your connection to nature and enhance your understanding of bird conservation. Join us for an informative and enjoyable adventure through Taft Gardens as we explore the diverse avian life that calls it home. Don't miss this chance to learn and appreciate the fascinating world of birds! This event will take place in the Taft Gardens Nature Preserve

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Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of the Taft Gardens Residency Program, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

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Nature & Forest Therapy, Honoring Ancestral Knowledge With Elena Rios-Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, Cultural Practitioner. This guided Nature Immersion gathering with have a greeting circle with Copaltemaliztl. Come Slow down, relax, rest, reflect, release in nature at the Taft Gardens Nature Preserve. Honoring heart centered knowledge. Waking up sacred perception that is inside of all of us. You are the medicine

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Join Root 2 Rise Yoga Founder Michelle Chua and the Drum Healers for an afternoon of ritual to harmonize with nature's transition to spring and renew peaceful vitality and balance from within. All are welcome for a community gathering at Taft Gardens for energy-balancing Hatha Yoga, Breathwork, Reiki-infused Soundbath Savasana, Guided Sitting Meditation, Forest-bathing Nature Walk, Tea and Soul Movement, a conscious freestyle dance with live African Drums.  No prior Yoga, Meditation, Dance or Forest-bathing experience required.  

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Join us for Sunday March 17th from 10am-1pm for a Spring Equinox Walkabout guided by Lanny Kaufer!

"Walkabout" is a term rooted in traditional Australian culture, symbolizing a temporary return to a simpler way of life, often undertaken during intervals between modern societal obligations. This is the essence of what Kaufer has orchestrated for you in observance of the Spring equinox. Commencing in the Australian section of Taft Gardens and ascending into the Nature Preserve towards a vista point adorned with a four-directions stone circle, you will embark on a three-hour respite from contemporary existence to embrace nature, bask in the sunlight, and reconnect with the timeless wisdom of our forebears.

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Join us for a very special Town Talk at the Ojai Valley Museum featuring our very own Taft Gardens founder, John Taft! Moderating the discussion will be Jaide Whitman, John's grand daughter and President of the Taft Gardens, along with Cassandra C. Jones, Program Director and co-founder of the Art Residency Program. Together they will explore with John his love of nature, his vision for this undeveloped land, how he created a display garden, his favorite parts of the garden, his reflections, his hopes, disappointments and his plans for the future!

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Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

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Slow down, relax, rest, reflect, release. We can prepare for the new fire by deepening connection to nature. Closing one circle of learning, and preparing ourselves to start another one. Honoring heart centered knowledge. Waking up sacred perception that is inside of all of us. You are the medicine. Join Elena Rios, Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, for this guided nature immersion walk. Relax, restore, release. Rooted in the ancient human practice of nature connection that is reflected in Indigenous Knowledge all over the world, this event is designed to assist you in finding your own way of being in relationship to nature, land, and place. Connect with interesting like-minded people within the almost 200 acres of California open space, past the cultivated gardens and grounds. Begins with greeting/introduction circle and ends with a sharing of tea made from native plants respectfully foraged in the area. Just come and be yourself!

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Stock up on Garden gifts for the Holidays and Support Local Vendors! We will have lots of plants available, discounts at the gift shop as well as wears from local vendors. The market is from 11am to 2pm and the gardens are open until 3pm. This is very special FREE BUT TICKETED. Please carpool as parking is limited!

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Taft Gardens invites you to explore the night sky with visiting artist and astronomy enthusiast Russell Crotty, along with assistance from his wife Laura Gruenther. The session will be held December 13th. Stargazing starts at 4:45pm. You may arrive as early as 3:45pm if you wish to enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Taft Gardens is excited to expand our Art in Nature offerings, with Russell, showing us how to explore the relationship between humans and their environment through understanding the celestial bodies that surround us.

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Taft Gardens invites you to explore the night sky with visiting artist and astronomy enthusiast Russell Crotty, along with assistance from his wife Laura Gruenther. The session will be held December 6th. Stargazing starts at 4:45pm. You may arrive as early as 3:45pm if you wish to enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Taft Gardens is excited to expand our Art in Nature offerings, with Russell, showing us how to explore the relationship between humans and their environment through understanding the celestial bodies that surround us.

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Please join Ojai author/naturalist Lanny Kaufer of HerbWalks.com for a natural history walk at the Gardens on Saturday, December 2nd, at 10am. Please arrive by 9:45am as the walk will start promptly at 10am. We will explore trails through the Nature Preserve (only accessible through guided tours), identify and discuss native plants, and observe birds and animal tracks in the context of local ecology. Lanny’s personal mission is to open a space for people to connect with the natural world, starting with the plant community. He is the author of Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants. Lanny has been leading herb walks, nature hikes and workshops in Southern California since 1976.

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Wisdom of Cell and Soul: Practices for Navigating the Deep Changes of this Time
Join us for a nourishing full day retreat at beautiful Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve  in the Ojai Valley led by mother and daughter team Katherine and Taran Collis. They will share their extensive background in meditation, yoga therapy, body literacy, and spiritual counseling to make meaning of these challenging times.

The retreat will focus on understanding the deeper transformative forces at play in the three stages common to most transitional (liminal) experiences: breakdown, break-in, and breakthrough. These threshold markings impact us personally at every level, playing out in our communities, society, and on a planetary scale heralding the embodiment of a new consciousness.  

Practices will help build resiliency, inner strength and alignment to what is emerging rather than that which is falling apart. The retreat is suited for people of all ages, particularly those in need of self-care, healing and nourishment within a supported spiritual community. In person and online, participants will experience a mix of presentation, gentle Yoga movement and Capacitar self-healing practices (www.capacitar.org). Participants will leave renewed and reconnected to their source of vitality, vision and a sense of greater purpose. 

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WHAT IS A “NATURE IMMERSION” EVENT?

Slow down Honor Relax Restore Reset

Reconnect Re-awaken Re-member

Honoring ancient human practices of nature connection that are reflected in ancestral Indigenous Knowledge all over the world. A slow, immersive nature connection walk or gathering. You will be given directions, in the form of an invitation, that is meant to assist you in relaxing, and observing with all of your senses. Unlike a naturalist walk, it isn’t so much about knowing all of the names of the plants, as it is about noticing which plants that you feel pulled to. It is more about being “here” in the present moment, then it is about being “there”. You may begin to notice things in a way that you may not have ever noticed them before. An integrative mindfulness practice that can help us to let all of the miscellaneous fall away. Experience the health benefits of Forest Bathing. It is a kind of nervous system “reset”, and has been shown to lower stress hormone production, anxiety, influence immune defense, elevate mood states, creativity, and cognition. It has the potential to remind us of the Interconnection of All Things and our relationship to the Earth. The event ends with a tea made from native plants and some healthy snacks.

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Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history. Tickets are $40.00.

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Join us on Sunday November 18th at 2pm to Celebrate the creation of the Taft Labyrinth! The designer and creator, Lars Howlett, will facilitate a walking meditation to live cello music by Rob Hodges. Learn how labyrinths create a sacred journey through time and space in our inaugural labyrinth event, followed by complimentary refreshments.

2pm-4pm Labyrinth Workshop w/ Lars Howlett and Rob Hodges

4pm-5pm Reception hosted by Jaide Whitman, Taft Gardens CEO and Nita & Henk van der Werff, Labyrinth Sponsors, at the Pavilion House. Meet the labyrinth creator team and enjoy refreshments.

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Relax, restore, release and rejuvenate as you journey towards the fall and winter holiday season.  Join Michelle Chua of Root 2 Rise Yoga and a community of like-hearted women for an afternoon of Guided Mindfulness, Movement and Meditation practices, Reiki and Soundbath to nurture well-being and inner wisdom through loving presence with Mother Earth and nature within.  Immerse in the nature preserve's vibrant gardens of autumn and draw on nature as teacher to courageously let old leaves fall, in some way lightening your load.  May this afternoon of conscious self-care and connection rekindle joy and open-heartedness for what's ahead.

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Inhale, exhale, and join us for an Evening Sound Experience with Trinity of Sound on Saturday, November 4th 2023, at 3 p.m. PT. In this 60-minute sound bath, you will be guided in a grounding meditation and breathwork before being immersed in a continual sound healing vortex. Instruments include clear quartz singing bowls, Tibetan bowls, gongs, chimes and shakers, rain sticks, harmonium, voice, and more. Register today and prepare for the ultimate in self-care, restoration, and relaxation set amidst the beauty and grandeur of Taft Gardens. Tickets are $45. Guests can arrive as early as 2:00pm to walk the gardens but please plan on arriving no later than 2:45. The gardens will be open till 5pm.

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Open your heart to the gift of the season and wisdom of nature. Join father and daughter team Roger and Taran Collis for a Nature Retreat to explore spiritual practices that strengthen our relationship with the natural world.  Giving Gratitude to Nature: Opening our hearts to the gift of the season, for outdoor Tai Chi and Yoga, meditation and labyrinth walk. The afternoon will end w/ restorative yoga to cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for this season. Bring a journal, hat, and lunch.

Optional Add-On at a reduced price of a Sound Healing Experience with Trinity of Sound at 3pm for a Full-Day of wellness!

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Please join Ojai author/naturalist Lanny Kaufer of HerbWalks.com for a natural history walk at the Gardens on Saturday, October 28th, at 10am. Please arrive by 9:45am as the walk will start promptly at 10am. We will explore trails through the Nature Preserve (only accessible through guided tours), identify and discuss native plants, and observe birds and animal tracks in the context of local ecology. Lanny’s personal mission is to open a space for people to connect with the natural world, starting with the plant community. He is the author of Medicinal Herbs of California: A Field Guide to Common Healing Plants. Lanny has been leading herb walks, nature hikes and workshops in Southern California since 1976.

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Join Cassandra C. Jones, Artist and Arts Chair of our Residency Program at Taft, for a unique look at the property from a creative perspective. Jones will guide guests through the South African and Australian Gardens to the art studios to meet the artists-in-residence and see what they are working on. She will offer an oral history of Taft, stories and education about botanicals in bloom, and insight into how the space inspires regional artists. This walking tour would benefit anyone interested in contemporary art, unusual plants, and local history.

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The “Walk With the Oaks” Event is guided by David White of Once Upon a Watershed with readings by Melina Watts from her book “Tree” under Taft’s Heritage Oak Trees. "Tree" is the story of 229 years in the life of a California live oak from the point of view of the tree.

“Oaktober” is a month long celebration of Oaks presented by Dr. David White and Once Upon a Watershed. Oaktober was launched by the Chicago Region Trees Initiative in 2015 and David brought the event to Ventura in 2020. Ventura County now recognizes October as “Oak Awareness Month”.

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In this workshop we are going to talk about the presence of three sacred plants, Yauhtli –Pericon, Picietl- Tabaco and Cempoalxochitl- Cempasuchil in the festivities related to the Day of the Dead.

We are going to explore the pre-Hispanic origins of Day of the Dead and how it has evolved to the present day and why plants and flowers are so important.

The event begins with a guided Nature Connection Practice with Elena Rios.

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Set intentions, Reset, Restore, Align, Create, Plant seeds (literally!), Deepen connection to nature and the more-than-human world. Gather with like-minded people on this slow, relaxing, restorative walk in an oak woodland that will end with a planting of oak tree and a ceremony of sharing tea made from native plants.

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Come sit under the Oaks. Listen to stories of these sacred beings while creating a necklace out of natural materials. An “Oaktober” Workshop led by Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait held on Indigenous People’s Day.

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Taft Gardens invites you to explore the night sky with visiting artist and astronomy enthusiast Russell Crotty, along with assistance from his wife Laura Gruenther. The session will be held October 6th. Stargazing starts at 6:30pm. You may arrive as early as 5:30pm if you wish to enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Taft Gardens is excited to expand our Art in Nature offerings, with Russell, showing us how to explore the relationship between humans and their environment through understanding the celestial bodies that surround us.

Reserve your Ticket!

Inhale, exhale, and join us for an evening Sound Experience with Trinity of Sound on Saturday, October 7th 2023, at 3 p.m. PT. In this 60-minute sound bath, you will be guided in a grounding meditation and breathwork before being immersed in a continual sound healing vortex. Instruments include clear quartz singing bowls, Tibetan bowls, gongs, chimes and shakers, rain sticks, harmonium, voice, and more. Register today and prepare for the ultimate in self-care, restoration, and relaxation set amidst the beauty and grandeur of Taft Gardens. Tickets are $45. Guests can arrive as early as 2:00pm to walk the gardens but please plan on arriving no later than 2:45. The gardens will be open till 5:00pm.

Tickets are specially discounted to $35 for this soundbath!

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