Help Fight Sudden Oak Death:

Join a free, fun, and educational activity to protect our East Bay oaks

East Bay SOD-Blitz

Saturday and Sunday, June 7–8, 2008

Tilden, Wildcat Canyon, Redwood, and Briones Regional Parks

Sudden Oak Death (SOD), a serious exotic disease, is threatening the survival of tanoak and several oak species in California. Currently SOD is found in the wildlands of 14 coastal California counties, from Monterey to Humboldt. While patchy in distribution, with each passing year the swath of SOD infection becomes more contiguous.

Researchers have discovered that Phytophthora ramorum, the pathogen that causes SOD, spreads most often on infected California bay laurel leaves. Symptomatic bay laurel leaves are often the first sign that SOD has arrived at a location, and generally precede oak infections. There are some options for managing the disease, but they are effective only if implemented before oaks and tanoaks are infected. Thus, timely detection of the disease on bay laurel leaves is key to a successful proactive attempt to slow down the SOD epidemic.

As a participant in the East Bay SOD-Blitz, you’ll learn about Sudden Oak Death and how to identify its symptoms on bay laurel leaves from Matteo Garbelotto, a pre-eminent SOD researcher. You’ll then gather information that will help identify areas where the infestation can be proactively managed.

Here’s How It Works

Step 1: Attend a free training meeting.

Saturday, June 7, 10–11:30 a.m. or11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Trudeau Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

From Hwy. 13, exit at Joaquin Miller Rd.Turn east on Joaquin Miller Road and continue for about 1mile to the signal at Skyline Blvd. Continue straight (you will now be on Skyline Blvd.) and look for the Trudeau Center on your left a short distance past the intersection.Park in the parking lot or on the street.

If you have a GPS unit, please bring it to the meeting.

Step 2: Collect samples

You’ll collect California bay laurel leaf samples on your own in Tilden, Wildcat Canyon, Redwood, or Briones Regional Park on Saturday and/or Sunday, June 7–8.

Step 3: Turn in your samples

Saturday, June 7, 5–7 p.m.orSunday, June 8, 4–6 p.m.

Trudeau Center, 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland

For more information: or 510-496-6016