Sudden Oak Death Blitz (SOD) Results Meeting.

Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 A.M.

It is with pleasure that I announce the public release of the results of the 2021 SOD blitz survey. Despite the Covid-19 outbreak, the 2021 SOD blitzes were an incredible success, and the activity resulted in the survey of  almost 20.000 trees across the entire State and without incident. The results of this statewide survey will identify new local outbreaks of the disease and determine disease severity in areas already known to be affected by SOD. The results will be presented in an online webinar by Dr. Matteo Garbelotto on November 13th, 2021, and will be posted on www.sodblitz.org. A map identifying trees affected by SOD -and thus infectious- will be accessible on both the www.sodblitz.org page and on sodmap.org. Particularly useful will be the map available on the free App SODmap Mobile (downloadable both on Android and iPhone) which further allows users to determine the risk of an oak contracting Sudden Oak Death in the location where they are standing.

The SOD Blitz Survey Project is a popular 17-year old citizen science program that allows volunteers from all walks of life to be involved in the fight against Sudden Oak Death in their local community. SOD is a deadly disease of oaks and related tree species present in 16 California Counties and is caused by the exotic pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Oaks affected by SOD become highly flammable and, by burning at very high intensity, they contribute to the spread of wildfires and heighten the threat of ignition for homes and buildings. SOD-affected oaks are also at greater risk of failure and may become hazardous for any person or structure close to them. Anybody can participate in the SOD blitzes in the Spring of each year after an easy 1-hour long online training and after picking up the necessary collection materials at a local SOD blitz collection/drop-off station. About thirty such stations are conveniently located around California (mostly in coastal counties). Attend the webinar on November 13th and go to www.sodblitz.org regularly to find updates and to learn about the dates of 2022 SOD Blitz Survey and the locations of the SOD blitz stations in their community. Those dates and locations will be posted at www.sodblitz.org at the beginning of February 2022 and the first SOD blitzes are normally scheduled at the end of March or beginning of April.

Get involved, do not let our oaks die: there are options to protect our beloved oaks but they only work if concerned citizen scientists like yourself get involved and if trees are treated before infection. Thanks to the SOD Blitz Survey Project, Californians can actually find out if infection is likely to occur in their own neighborhood and thus save their trees. Help us in mapping the disease in as many locations as possible so that everybody may have the knowledge necessary to decide whether treating their oaks may be urgently needed.

2021 SOD Blitzes Results: Participant Info

When: Nov 13, 2021 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Sudden Oak Death Blitz 2021 Results Meeting

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://ucanr.zoom.us/j/93364180498?pwd=ekNaUFFjc2kwckFOdVI3bXZsTWRyUT09

Webinar ID: 933 6418 0498; Password: 896840

Or iPhone one-tap:  US: +16699006833,,93364180498#  or +12532158782,,93364180498#

Or Telephone:     US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799

International numbers available: https://ucanr.zoom.us/u/akjRBw82L