Information about invasive species

Alien species

Invasive species are species that humans have introduced to a new area, either unintentionally or intentionally. They are introduced as garden plants or pets, but they can also be introduced, for example, in foreign cargo or in the ballast water of ships. At worst, they displace local native species, causing harm not only to nature and its recreational use, but also to health and the landscape. They are also often very resilient and difficult to control.

Some alien species are harmful

Some invasive species cause harm to our nature, for example by being agricultural pests or by displacing and isolating our native species. Such invasive species include the common rose, giant hogweed, Spanish hornworm and mink. To prevent harm, it is important to prevent invasive species from entering the nature and to slow down the spread of invasive species that have already settled here.

What is the city doing?

The city of Kankaanpää has been fighting against various invasive species for twenty years. The park maintains a noxious plant map, which marks, for example, the growth locations of giant pipeweed and giant balsam. The map can be used to instruct people working in the city during the summer season to remove noxious plant growth. The city is only fighting against invasive species on land it owns.

What can you do?

Invasive species most often end up in Finnish nature as escapees from home or professional gardens, so the most effective means of prevention can also be found in the garden. According to the Invasive Species Act, landowners have a duty to prevent harmful invasive species from their own land.

Included in the EU list of invasive species or a national list of invasive species invasive alien species must not be intentionally grown on the property. For example, if a plant species on the list of invasive species has been planted in the garden, the owner must remove the planting and destroy the parts of the plant so that it cannot reproduce.

Plants do not care about property or municipal boundaries.

of species included in the EU or national list of invasive alien species of invasive alien species Breeding and other possession, as well as release into the environment, is prohibited. The owner or occupier of fields and roadsides (e.g. a farmer) must eradicate harmful alien species from areas under their use and management.

At a minimum, follow these guidelines:

• Do not throw garden waste into nature
• Plant native or slow-growing plants in your garden
• Remove harmful alien species growing in your garden and prevent their spread into the environment
• Make sure that Spanish snails or their eggs do not spread from your garden with garden waste.
• The breeding, sale and import of harmful alien species is prohibited under the Invasive Species Act. The breeding ban also applies to alien species that have spread into yards from outside, meaning that occurrences must be removed in accordance with the Invasive Species Act, even if the species is not actively bred.

The built environment of the city of Kankaanpää encourages neighborhoods, associations and hobby groups to participate in weeding efforts. The city can participate in the efforts by collecting alien species packed in waste bags free of charge. At least 5 bags must be collected before they are collected. Only non-native plants may be packed in bags.. The contents of the bags will be checked upon collection. The service is available until September 30, 2022.

Small amounts of non-native plants, such as giant hyacinths, giant balsams, lupins and clematis, can be placed in the property's biowaste container or, tightly packed, in a mixed waste container.

 

Plant and soil waste containing alien plant species may only be received by waste reception and processing facilities that have received a separate permit for the reception of waste containing harmful alien plant species in their environmental permit. The Kooninkeitaan waste station will not accept waste batches containing alien plant species for the time being.

More detailed information: Susanna Tolvanen, waste management planner, waste consultancy: 044 577 2644, [email protected]

More information and instructions:

• Pictures of invasive species and instructions for controlling them: foreign species.fi
• Finnish Nature Conservation Association: www.sll.fi/2019/07/16/haitalliset-vieraslajit-ja-vieraslajilaki-miten-suomalaisten-olisi-hyva-toimia-ja-miksi/
• EU invasive species regulations: vieraslajit.fi/info/i-302

 

Published May 25, 2021, updated February 12, 2026.