MONTEREY, Calif. -- The second Sudden Oak Death Science Symposium is being held this week in Monterey, bringing together researchers from around the globe.

In addition to bringing their research, participants will take a guided tour to see the current condition of the disease in Central Coast oak trees.

Sudden Oak Death has killed tens of thousands of trees, and the purpose of the symposium is to prevent that from continuing.

Currently, Sudden Oak Death is found in the wild lands of 14 California counties from Monterey to Humboldt. The loss of oak in California is causing dramatic landscape changes that affect environment, increase fire hazards and reduce land values.

So far, the disease has already affected more than 170 nurseries across the country.

This week's symposium will focus on keeping areas that haven't been impacted by the disease from getting exposed.