Slug and Invasive Species Control in Fiskars

The slug working group actively carries out invasive species control under the Environmental Section in cooperation with the park department of Fiskars Corporation, Eija Sulkava, and Anne Ollila from the garden shop Ruusupapu.

We received funding from the von Julin Foundation to carry out the project The Fiskars Village LUMO – Invasive Species and the pilot project From Lawn to Meadow during 2022–2024. Anna Kamara serves as the project manager.

Important links to information about different invasive species can be found here:

• Slug Information

The Fiskars Village LUMO Project

Goals

• To combat the Spanish slug and invasive plant species in the Fiskars village area and continue awareness work so that invasive species are no longer accidentally spread into nature or enable Spanish slugs to spread to new areas or private gardens.
• To carry out practical control work to stop the spread of the Spanish slug.
• To combat selected invasive species: Himalayan balsam, lupine, and rugosa rose. Himalayan balsam is cleared throughout the ironworks area, while lupine removal begins from individual populations and areas near protected natural sites (Hasselbacka and the juniper meadow in Torby). Assistance is offered to elderly residents for removing rugosa rose from their yards.
• To increase awareness of biodiversity and teach people how to promote it by creating meadow areas in their own gardens through the study circle From Lawn to Meadow.

Measures

• Slug collection volunteer events in May–June and August–September.
• A school youth patrol (ages 14+) works during June–July to control slugs and invasive species such as Himalayan balsam and lupine.
• Lupine volunteer work event in Torsby at the end of June.
• The village helper participates when needed in clearing work and rugosa rose removal.
• Mapping of Spanish slugs and invasive plant species continues. Slug observations can be reported to: siruetanat.fiskars@gmail.com
• The study circle From Lawn to Meadow meets four times between April and August.

Information

Information is distributed through the ironworks email list. Slug information and reminders are sent in spring, with slug volunteer events held on Thursdays in May and again in August/September. Additional species-specific information about invasive plants is shared when the appropriate control period begins.

Project and volunteer event information is also published through the Fiskars Village Association Facebook page.

Brochures about invasive species are distributed at volunteer events and at Ruusupapu garden shop.

We have networked with other organizations through Raseborg Invasive Species Network.

In the “Current Affairs” section on the front page, you can find articles about different invasive species and how to control them.