·         Sudden Oak Death and other Introduced Forest Pathogens by Professor Tom Bruns of the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at UC Berkeley.  Wednesday, October 23^rd, 2002 at 7:30 p.m.

Makamie Hall, Northminster Presbyterian Church 545 Ashbury Street, El Cerrito.

Sudden oak death, along with other introduced diseases, has become a scary new threat to our forests. According to the latest news, it has even been reported in redwood sprouts!

Professor Tom Bruns of the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology at UC Berkeley will help us to understand this threat. He says, Since the early part of the 20^th century the increased intercontinental movement of plants, green logs, and soil has had a serious unintended consequence: the introduction of exotic forest pathogens and insects. Some of these, such as chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease, and jarrah dieback, have had devastating impacts on native forests around the world. Typically the introduced pathogens are unknown or of minor significance from their native settings, but are more virulent with naïve hosts in novel environments. Introductions into California of pitch canker and sudden oak death are the most recent examples of this ongoing process.” Professor Bruns will outline several of the classic examples and discuss some of the underlying problems.  Contact WCCSC Group Chair Rita Minjares (510)528-2913 for more information Happenings in West Contra Costa:

·         The Draft EIR for the proposed Clark Road development in El Sobrante is expected in middle to late October. The project would involve massive cutting and filling on slide-prone hillsides crossed by a scenic trail into Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. For information and to help, email the El Sobrante Valley Legal Defense Fund at esvldf@yahoo.com or contact Eleanor Lloynd at (510) 223-6398.