Volunteer to combat invasive alien plant species in Kuopio

As human mobility and international trade have greatly increased over the last century, many plant and animal species have been transported to new environments either on purpose or unintentionally. When a species arrives in habitats it has not been found before, it may have negative impacts there, for example by outcompeting native species or significantly changing the new environment. In this case, we speak of an alien invasive species.

There are several invasive plant species present in Kuopio. In the case of the plant Himalayan Balsam – which has beautiful flowers but also negative effects on native species – the city organizes weeding trips to keep its further spreading in check. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and have a positive impact on your community, as well as getting some valuable exercise and meeting like-minded people!

Everybody can join for as long as they want and have time for. It’s a good idea to come prepared with your own water bottle, gloves and rubber boots.

More information can be found on this website.

Weeding trip dates:

• Wednesday 10. July we weed Himalayan Balsam in the Halmejoki grove. We meet at 4.30 pm at the parking lot at Halmejoentie 67 (https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/29NLYv). There will be a guide to the work sites from the parking lot every hour. For more information, please contact the tour leader: 044 718 2143.
• Tuesday 16. July we weed Himalayan Balsam in Lillukkapuisto. We meet at 10 am at the parking lot of the Rypysuon asukastupa, Rypysuontie 68 (https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2ayNnm). For more information, please contact the tour leader tel. 044 718 2145.
• Thursday 18. July we weed Himalayan Balsam in Päiväranta. We meet at 5 pm at the parking lot of the carpet washing place at the end of Petäjätie (https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2azyGE). For more information, please contact the tour leader:  044 718 2145.
• Tuesday 23. July we weed Himalayan Balsam in Julkulanranta. We meet at 10 am at the parking lot at the end of the Koivuaho trail (https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2aA5pc). For more information, please contact the tour leader: 044 718 2145.
• Wednesday 7. August we weed Himalayan Balsam in the Halmejoki grove. We meet at 5 pm at the parking lot at Halmejoentie 67 (https://kartta.kuopio.fi/link/2awumh). There will be a guide to the work sites from the parking lot every hour. For more information, please contact the tour leader:  044 718 2145.