AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Maine conservation officials are asking residents to play a bigger role in helping the state counter invasive species.

Invasive insects and plants do damage to Maine’s agricultural crops and forests. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said residents can play a role by learning to identify damaging species, such as the emerald ash borer. The week that just ended was National Invasive Species Awareness Week.

The conservation department said the program is “designed to raise consumer awareness of invasive species, the threats they pose, and what can be done to slow or prevent their spread.”