Sacramento County, California – Sacramento County is asking residents to put their smartphones to work for the American River Parkway’s native oaks. The assignment is to look closely, record what they find and help track an invasive beetle threatening the trees.
The Mediterranean Oak Borer, known as MOB, is responsible for serious tree damage, dieback and mortality. Now, four upcoming survey sessions will give community members a hands-on role in documenting its spread along the Parkway.
Sacramento County Regional Parks is inviting volunteers to join the search November 16, 17, 19 and 20. No background in forestry or entomology is needed. Local experts will provide training at the start of each session, showing participants how to recognize signs of a potential infestation before they begin inspecting trees.
The work combines observation with mobile mapping. Participants will survey native oaks, look for possible evidence of the beetle and document their findings using the Survey123 app. Those observations will help Regional Parks better understand the threat to the local oak canopy and track where signs of the pest appear.
Residents can attend a single session or take part in all four. Each lasts two hours, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the first two scheduled at Watt Avenue and the remaining two at Ancil Hoffman Park.
The series opens Monday, November 16, with “Case of the Missing Canopy” at Watt Avenue. Volunteers will return to the same general location Tuesday, November 17, for “Clues in the Bark.” Both sessions include introductory training, tree surveys and the use of mobile tools to record observations.
The search then moves to Ancil Hoffman Park on Thursday, November 19, for “Tracking the Beetle.” The final session, “Case Closed (for Now!),” takes place there Friday, November 20. Training at the beginning of every session means residents can choose whichever date works for them without needing to attend an earlier event.
Participants should bring a charged smartphone for the Survey123 app and wear sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots. Regional Parks also asks volunteers to wear long pants and bring water and sun protection for their time surveying trees along the Parkway.
The invitation is open to people without technical experience, but advance registration is required and space is limited. Anyone interested should email Veronica Thorley at [email protected], providing their full name, phone number and the date or dates they would like to attend.
After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with the exact meeting location, parking information and arrival directions. The announced Watt Avenue and Ancil Hoffman Park locations identify the survey areas; the confirmation will provide the details needed to find the group.
For residents who want to help protect the Parkway’s native oaks, the series offers a specific task and the training to carry it out. Every additional observer can contribute to the county’s understanding of a beetle already causing serious harm to trees.