The Forest Service’s California Oak Mortality Task Force sent this out…anyone want to go and report back?
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations will hold its fourth meeting August 26-31 at the Asilomar Conference Center to share current research findings about the pathogen responsible for Sudden Oak Death and other tree diseases threatening forests worldwide.

The meeting is entitled “Phytophthoras in Forests and Natural Ecosystems” and is sponsored by the California Oak Mortality Task Force, UC Davis, Oregon State University and USDA Forest Service.
Media representatives are invited to join world-renowned researchers on field trips to view Sudden Oak Death effects at recently discovered sites and places where the disease has been established more than 10 years.
The Mittledorf Preserve field trip will offer an opportunity to see a forest in the early stages of Sudden Oak Death. The Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park field trip will provide a look at Sudden Oak Death in an established disease area, where tanoak mortality is extensive and fire risk high.
When: Tuesday, August 28, 2007
11:00 a.m. – Lecture Setting the Stage for Understanding the Field Trip, Dave Rizzo, UC Davis
11:30 a.m. – Leave Conference Grounds for Mittledorf Preserve
Where: Asilomar Conference Grounds, Chapel Room
800 Asilomar Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
When: Thursday, August 30, 2007
11:40 a.m. – Asilomar Conference Grounds
11:50 a.m. – Leave Conference Grounds for Pfeiffer Big Sur
Where: Asilomar Conference Grounds, Parking Lot
800 Asilomar Ave.
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Media attending should wear hiking shoes and comfortable hiking clothes. To minimize the risk of pathogen spread out of the area, shoe sanitation supplies will be provided at the conclusion of each field trip.
Contact Katie Palmieri, California Oak Mortality Task Force Public Information Officer, at (510) 847-5482 for more information about the meeting, field trips, Sudden Oak Death, or Phytophthora ramorum.