Join the 2025 Goldspotted Oak Borer Blitz!
Help us protect Southern California’s oak trees one hike at a time.
The goldspotted oak borer (GSOB) is a tiny beetle causing a big problem for Southern California’s oak trees. Its larvae tunnel beneath the bark and feed on the tissues that transport water and nutrients, slowly starving the tree from the inside out. After several years of repeated infestations, the damage becomes too much, and the tree dies. GSOB has already killed tens of thousands of mature oaks across the region.
But we can do something about it, and we need your help!
What’s a GSOB Blitz?
A GSOB Blitz is a community-powered effort to detect and map goldspotted oak borer infestations. With your help, we’ll survey oak trees across Southern California to identify where this pest is spreading, and how bad the damage is. These surveys help scientists and land managers decide where to take action to save our trees.
Even better? It’s a great way to learn, explore, and connect with nature while making a real impact.
How it works:
- Local survey events will take place across Southern California between June 1–15, 2025.
- Events are led by local agencies in collaboration with UC ANR and other partners.
- Volunteers (like you!) will collect data in the field, after a brief training session.
- You don’t need to be an expert; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!
How to Participate
Step 1: Register Online.
- Sign up to join a local survey team near you.
NOTE: All seven of the GSOB Blitz groups and locations have been filled and registration is closed. SUBSCRIBE to the GSOB listerv to receive news and information on goldspotted oak borer research, resources and upcoming events.
| County: | FULL/Registration Not Available Los Angeles County | County: | FULL/Registration Not Available San Bernardino County | |
| Team Name: | Los Angeles County GSOB Blitz | Team Name: | IERCD Survey Group | |
| Day/Date: | Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | Day/Date: | Sunday, June 1, 2025 | |
| Time: | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Time: | 9:00 AM-12:30 PM | |
| Location: | San Dimas Canyon Community Reg Park 1628 Sycamore Canyon Road San Dimas, CA 91773 | Location: | Oak Glen Preserve 39611 Oak Glen Rd Yucaipa, CA 92399 | |
| Minimum Age: | 18 years old | Minimum Age: | None | |
| Contact/s: | Rachel Burnap, rburnap@acwm.lacounty.gov | Contact/s: | Kayla Thompson, kthompson@iercd.org | |
| Cristhian Mace, cmace@parks.lacounty.gov | ||||
| County: | FULL/Registration Not Available Orange County | County: | FULL/Registration Not Available San Diego County | |
| Team Name: | Irvine Ranch Conservancy | Team Name: | San Diego County GSOB Blitz | |
| Day/Date: | Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | Day/Date: | Tuesday, June 3, 2025 | |
| Time: | 8:00 AM-12:00 PM | Time: | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | |
| Location: | Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve 5524 Santiago Cyn Rd Silverado, CA 92676 | Location: | Dos Picos County Park 17953 Dos Picos Park Rd. Ramona, CA 92065 | |
| Restriction: | Participants must already be a confirmed volunteer with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. | Minimum Age: | 18 years old | |
| Contact/s: | Melissa Garcia, mgarcia@irconservancy.org | Contact/s: | Jan Gonzales, jggonzales@ucanr.edu | |
| County: | FULL/Registration Not Available Riverside County | County: | FULL/Registration Not Available Ventura County | |
| Team Name: | MCFSC Bug Busters! | Team Name: | Ventura County GSOB Blitz | |
| Day/Date: | Saturday, June 7, 2025 | Day/Date: | Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | |
| Time: | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM | Time: | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM | |
| Location: | Alamo Schoolhouse/Nature Center Lake Skinner County Park 37701 Warren Road Winchester, CA, 92596 | Location: | Conejo Valley area Details TBA | |
| Minimum Age: | 8 years old | Minimum Age: | 18 years old | |
| Contact/s: | Callie Squires and Kim Fryer, gsob@mcfsc.org | Contact/s: | Julie Clark, jdclarkdeblasio@ucanr.edu | |
| County: | FULL/Registration Not Available Riverside County | |||
| Team Name: | Southern Riverside County GSOB Hunters | |||
| Day/Date: | Saturday, June 7, 2025 | |||
| Time: | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | |||
| Location: | Vail Lake 38000 CA-79 Temecula, CA 92592 | |||
| Minimum Age: | 18 years old | |||
| Contact/s: | Stan Hill, stan.hill@rcdsandiego.org |
Step 2: Get Trained
- Complete the Online GSOB Course (self-paced; Access link will be sent after registration.)
- Watch the GSOB Blitz Training Webinar held May 27, 2025, 1:00–3:00 PM.
Step 3: Join Your Survey Event
On the day of your local Blitz:
- Meet your group at the designated time and place.
- Receive your GSOB Blitz Bag with supplies and instructions.
- Head out with your team to survey oak trees and collect data!
Ready to Make a Difference?
Let’s team up to stop GSOB and help keep Southern California’s oak woodlands healthy and thriving for wildlife, for people, and for future generations.
Contact
Questions or more information about the GSOB Blitz can be directed to:
Jan Gonzales, Community Education Supervisor, UC Cooperative Extension
Email: jggonzales@ucanr.edu