ISHB Monitoring in the Arroyo Trabuco Wilderness Area (O’neill Regional Park), Private

The Invasive Shot Hole Borers (ISHB) are non-native beetles that tunnel into trees, introducing a fungal disease known as Fusarium dieback. This disease disrupts the tree’s ability to absorb water and nutrients, resulting in symptoms such as tree decline, branch dieback, and potential tree mortality. Join our ISHB monitoring efforts and help protect our Sycamores in the Arroyo Trabuco Wilderness Area.

During ISHB monitoring, participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of ISHB infestation in Sycamore trees and survey techniques. They will use specific data gathering applications to survey tree trunks for ISHB entry/exit holes, identify affected trees, and update the data collection form for each surveyed tree.

Volunteers and IRC Staff will meet at the trail head and parking at Paraiso and Arroyo Vista intersection, the exact coordinates are 33.61938, -117.62157 and address is 72 Paraiso, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. Participants can park on Arroyo Vista street and will then be driven to the monitoring site by IRC staff. Click here for driving directions.

All participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring water for themselves. Please wear long pants & sleeves and bring sun-protection. A small pack is handy to carry water. We will be looking closely at tree trunks for the presence of GSOB exit holes; feel free to bring anything that might assist with this, such as reading glasses or a magnifying glass.

This is a wilderness setting and there are inherent dangers such as uneven ground, snakes, coyotes, stinging insects, and other dangers. Please be prepared to engage in activities that may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting.

We will adhere to inclement weather (including rain, trail conditions, and Red Flag Warning) policies. We will contact you if this activity is cancelled.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Please review the Difficulty Ratings before registering. Understanding the 1-through-5 ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.