Invasive Species Week
For one week each year, organisations across Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey come together to raise awareness of invasive species and the actions we can all take to prevent their spread.
Invasive Species Week 2026 will run from 22–28 June.
Take part in Invasive Species Week and help protect the environment, wildlife and recreational spaces for future generations to enjoy.
Scroll down to see Calendar of Events.
Daily Themes
The themes for this year are as follows:
Monday: Welcome to Invasive Species Week!
Learn what invasive species are, why they are a concern, and how they can be spread through everyday activities.
Tuesday: Volunteering and recording
If you enjoy being outside and want to meet new people, find a local group near you working on invasive species management.
One of the most important things you can do to help is to record your sightings of invasives species through the online Recording Form.
Wednesday: Check Clean Dry
Are you an angler, paddler, boater, Stand-Up Paddleboarder or similar? Protect the environment and activities you enjoy by remembering to Check Clean Dry after leaving the water.
Thursday: Be Plant Wise
Do you have a garden, pond or aquarium, or work in horticulture? Follow Be Plant Wise tips to help prevent the spread of invasive plants.
Friday: Be Pet Wise
Do you have a pet, or are thinking about becoming a pet owner in future? Remember, Don’t let them loose – releasing a pet or allowing them to escape into the wild is cruel and could harm our native wildlife. Follow Be Pet Wise tips to help prevent the spread of invasive plants.
Saturday and Sunday: Take part!
There are events taking place all over Ireland across the weekend. Check out the Calendar of Events and get involved!
Calendar of Events
Click this link – Events – to check out full schedule for Invasive Species Week 2026 (Note some events may not be displayed on Calendar below).
Discover a range of events taking place throughout the week, including webinars, workshops, training sessions, and public engagement events. Browse the calendar to find something that interests you and get involved.
How to Get Involved
If you are planning an event or would like us to highlight any of the work you or your organisation is doing on invasive species, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]
Please include Invasive Species Week in the subject line.
There are many ways to get involved, whether you’re an individual, community group, or organisation
Ideas for Invasive Species Week:
- Host a talk or webinar about invasive species.
- Arrange a walk in your local area and look out for common invasive species.
- Give a biosecurity demonstration and promote the Check Clean Dry, Be Plant Wise and Be Pet Wise protocols.
- Organise a Balsam Bash. Check out this useful information leaflet from the Northern Irish Environment Agency. Always ensure compliance with Irish law and for queries relating to licences please email [email protected].
- Share information on social media. Follow the National Biodiversity Date Centre social media channels and amplify our key messages throughout the week.
Invasive Species Week Photo Competition
Photo credit: Groundwork UK
As part of Invasive Species Week, we’re inviting you to show how simple everyday actions can help protect the waters and environments we love. Take a photo of yourself taking action to stop the spread of invasive species, showing every action counts! Submit your photo before 28th June 2026.
Ideas include:
- Cleaning mud from boots
- Checking equipment and clothing
- Reading and following Check, Clean, Dry guidance
- Learning how to identify invasive species
- Managing invasive species in your garden
- Volunteering with a local group to tackle invasive species
Submit your entry here: forms.office.com/e/U4ai0ZchCR
Winners will receive themed prizes!
Help spread the message, not the invasive species.
Stay Tuned!
We will be posting about events, daily themes and new resources across the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s social media channels:
Hashtags: #INNSweek #ReportInvasives
Spotlight on Action: Tackling Invasive Species Across Ireland
This year, we’re shining a light on the inspiring work being done by communities and organisations across the country to combat invasive species and protect local biodiversity. Explore the stories below to learn how different groups are making a difference.
River Liffey Himalayan Balsam Project, Ballymore Eustace – A Council and Community Collaboration
As part of its Biodiversity Action Plan, Iarnród Éireann is rolling out a system to map, control and manage invasive species across the rail network. Infestations are recorded on an internal GIS system, verified by third parties, and assigned tailored 3–5 year treatment plans.
This approach enables ongoing monitoring by ecologists and helps staff identify infestations early at worksites, supporting effective planning, treatment, and prevention of further spread. The map below illustrates the network, with red markers indicating recorded invasive species infestations.
Iarnród Éireann is also developing remote sensing and AI-based monitoring systems to identify tree species and detect invasive plants along the rail network. New detection techniques and frameworks are being introduced to enable faster identification and management of infestations.
To support this, guidance documents are being developed for staff and contractors, outlining best practice for identification and treatment, including seasonal considerations. Ongoing staff training, regular briefings, and technical bulletins ensure that those working on the network can accurately identify and respond to invasive species, supporting effective, consistent management across all sites.
Get inspired! Check out Invasive Species Week 2025
Invasive Species Week 2025 was held during 12th -18th May 2025.
It was a fantastic week with 78 events held and 174 organisations taking part across Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Scotland and Wales.