Spanish chipmunk teams are looking for partners for the 2026 season

The city's park services are looking for partners from associations in Riihimäki to help combat invasive alien species. Unlike previous years, in the 2026 season, the plan is to also involve associations to help combat the Spanish hornet. We are looking for two associations that both commit to organizing three volunteer activities, with a compensation of 500 euros, paid after the third volunteer activity. The volunteer activities should last at least one hour. The associations should organize Spanish hornet control volunteer activities in the parks and green areas of the city of Riihimäki from 1 May to 30 September 2026.

"In the experiment, we are asking local associations for help with the control work and we want to increase awareness of harmful alien species. If the experiment proves successful, we will aim to continue the volunteer cooperation in the coming years. In addition, the park services will continue to organize volunteer activities for residents," says Anne Kulhoranta, the invasive species coordinator.

The extermination teams must commit to organizing the activities in weather conditions favorable for the movement of Spanish snails (humid, rainy weather) or at a suitable time of day (morning/evening dew). The activity and the snail waste must be documented, for example by taking photos or videos. The organizing association must deliver the snail waste to the nearest snail waste bin.

The park services will define the volunteer areas together with the partner and will deliver the necessary equipment to the organizing association. If possible, the park services should be notified of the volunteer day 2–3 days in advance so that we can advertise the volunteer activities with information signs and on social media. If due to circumstances, the Spanish hornbill is not visible, the association can control, for example, the common lupine at the same time. The details of such exceptional cases will be agreed separately with the organizing association.

Registration instructions for organizing chip snail campaigns

Send by email by April 13, 2026 vieraslajit@riihimaki.fi Please provide information about your association and briefly describe your association's activities and your ability to organize volunteer work. You will be notified of your selection during week 16.

Recommendation for property owners

With the start of spring, the city's park services recommend that all property owners in Riihimäki survey their areas for possible occurrences of invasive alien species. Up-to-date information on necessary control measures can be found on the national website vieraslajit.fi, and local advice is available by contacting vieraslajit@riihimaki.fi or by calling 040 624 8431.

For more information about the city's invasive species control, visit the Invasive Species page.

Locations of snail dumps (kartta.riihimaki.fi.)