CANTON -- An emerald ash borer awareness day will be held May 16 at the Farmer’s Market on the Village Green, corner of Park and Main streets, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The event is a collaboration of the state Department of Environmental Conservation, village of Canton, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, SLELO Prism, and the St. Lawrence County Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Task Force.

EAB is an invasive species of wood-boring beetle that destroys ash trees within two to four years of infestation.

Canadian Officials have confirmed EAB has been found along the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River, including, but not limited to Cornwall, Cornwall Island, and Mallorytown, Ottawa and Montreal.

DEC believes communities most at risk in St. Lawrence County include: Chippawa Bay, Morristown, Ogdensburg, Waddington, Louisville, and Massena. The Franklin County community of Hogansburg is also at high risk.

DEC has not confirmed the presence of EAB anywhere in St. Lawrence or Franklin counties to date. This is an event to raise awareness of the EAB threat.

If you believe you have found EAB in St. Lawrence County or anywhere else in New York State, call the DEC hotline number at (866) 640-0652.

For more information on EAB please contact Steven Sherwood, forester with DEC’s Potsdam sub office at (315) 274-3335 or information.R6@dec.ny.gov or visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7253.html.