Initiative FoReDi continues its fight against the dangerous invasive species – Sosnowsky’s hogweed – in Finland

August is the time when hogweed finishes flowering, and hundreds of its seeds fall to the ground, further expanding the contaminated areas. We conducted a patrol around Espoo and nearby municipalities to help prevent the further spread of this weed.

Although there are EU-wide and Finnish programs to combat hogweed, and several volunteer organizations are involved in its removal, these efforts are still insufficient. We aim to bring this issue to the attention of local politicians to ensure it’s treated with the seriousness it deserves – so that we don’t repeat the mistakes that led to large-scale infestations in Russia.

Please remember: hogweed not only displaces native plant species and harms ecosystems, but its sap can also cause severe burns to both adults and children.

🌿 Want to help in this fight?

You can use this observation map: https://vieraslajit.fi/havainnot?taxonId=MX.39254 – add new sightings or pick a marked location and go there to remove the plant.

Collect flower heads into thick bags and bring them to hazardous waste collection points: https://www.kierratys.info/?lat=60.29&lng=24.8233&zoom=11&filters=108

These are often located in containers, and the keys can be borrowed free of charge from nearby shops hosting the container.

‼️ Important: Follow safety precautions.

Only remove hogweed while wearing protective gear: thick gloves, long-sleeved clothing, and ideally safety goggles and a mask. It’s best to work on cloudy days to avoid sunlight, which intensifies the sap’s burn effect.