Finvasive (VieKas) LIFE

Finvasive LIFE -project will familiarise Finns to invasive alien species, their significance and adverse effects to biodiversity, health and economy by using three focus species (Himalayan Balsam, Hogweeds and Yellow Skunk-Cabbage as example species.

The threat of invasive alien species to Finnish species and habitats will only grow in the future with the warming climate. As it gets warmer, more and more arriving invasive species will be able to survive and spread in our northern climate and cause harm. Finvasive LIFE offers Finns beneficial advice and solutions today, that will prevent the spreading of species and their harmful effects tomorrow.

The spreading of invasive species does not stop at property, provincial or national borders. That is why, without exception, stopping their spread requires neighbours working together. Finvasive LIFE will help to create new local and regional partnerships to survey, control and eventually stop and prevent the future spread of harmful invasive species .

Finnish citizens that take part in the free IAS information events will be introduced in how to do citizen science by sending observation data by using the projects smarthone tool. Observation data is of crucial importance to the success of AIS eradication action plans. Active citizens, municipalities, organisations and businesses work together to preserve native species and habitats from harmful invasive species.

Finvasive LIFE will test, develop and gather all the best practices, policy change suggestions, useful information and material during the project(2018–2023). The results and applications for the information will be actively disseminated in various platforms in and outside Finland.

in Finland, the most significant pathways for invasive species to spread into the wild are home and professional gardens, agriculture and green infrastructure building. Finvasive LIFE offers target groups (home gardeners and future professional gardeners) education and communication of invasive alien plant species and the ways of dispersal. Our efforts in awareness building will reduce the intentional and unintentional spread of IAS in Finland.

In average, the Finns are not familiar with what invasive species are and what is their impact on our native species and habitats or human health and economy. Finvasive LIFE will build IAS awareness and offer advice on simple ways how to prevent the spreading of present day and new invasive species to Finland. We organise numerous information events where we recruit, inform and encourage IAS citizen scientists to send observation data and take part in invasive plant eradication events.

Finvasive LIFE will gather all the best practices, useful guidelines and practical solutions and develop, in collaboration with the municipalities, a collection of solutions on how to prevent and control the spreading of invasive species.

Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) will develop a biodegradable and long-lasting peat-based cover material as an alternative chemical (e.g., glyphosate-based) herbicides.

Finvasive LIFE will eradicate invasive Hogweed sites in Varsinais-Suomi area, at least 50 Himalayan balsam sites around Finland and 5 (about 20%) of the known Finnish Yellow Skunk-Cabbage sites from the wild.

FANC:s and Martha Organisations regional and local associations organise numerous open and free of charge invasive species events, such as invasive species walks, lectures or weeding events.

Although the project’s communication efforts will focus on three invasive plant species (Himalayan balsam, harmful Hogweeds and Yellow skunk cabbage), we aim to shed light into the invasive species discussion in Finland with examples from other species groups as well, including even agricultural pests and diseases.

Our project partner Nature League of Finland is offering Finnish schools (7–9 -graders) the possibility to order a trained invasive species school ambassador to give your student insight in invasive alien species and their harmful impact to biodiversity. The 90-minute lesson will inspire your class to conduct their own invasive species survey or to weed out an invasive species site in the schools vicinity. More information and ambassador order form (in Finnish only)

Order form for IAS school ambassador (Finland only)

The project will train FANC’s and Martha organisations volunteers to organise invasive species weeding and information events in their local communities. Training events for other parties can also be when needed and possible. Please contact our friendly Finvasive LIFE staff for more information.

Finvasive staff contact info