For one week every year, organisations across Ireland, the UK, Isle of Mann, Jersey and Guernsey come together for a week of action to raise awareness on invasive alien species and actions to prevent their spread. Invasive Species Week is led by the the GB Non-native Species Secretariat.

Invasive Species Week 2025

Invasive Species Week 2025 will take place from the 12th to the 18th May. Stay tuned for updates over the coming weeks.

If you are planning an event, let us know and we will highlight it. Just email: [email protected] and put IAS Week in the subject line.

Many people aren’t aware of invasive species and the harmful impacts they can have, or how we can all help to prevent their spread. Take part in Invasive Species Week 2025 and help protect the environment and recreational spaces for future generations to enjoy.

Events

Check out our Calendar of Events to see what’s happening throughout the week.

More events and details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Daily Themes

Monday: Learn about invasive species

Learn what invasive species are, why they are a concern, and how they can be spread through everyday activities.

Tuesday – Friday: Find out how you can help:

Tuesday: 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.

Wednesday: 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.

Thursday: 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.

Friday: Record your sightings and log your actions

One of the most important things you can do to help is to record your sightings of invasives species through the online Recording Form.

Are you taking action to tackle the threat of invasive species? Log your actions on the Actions on Invasives mapping portal.

Saturday and Sunday: Activities to get involved in.

Could you host an event? See below for some ideas.

If you enjoy being outside and want to meet new people, find a local group near you working on invasive species management.  

Social media

We will also be posting about events and daily themes on our @BioDataCentre social media channels.

Hashtags: #INNSweek

Event ideas

• Give a talk about invasive species and how to prevent their spread. If you’d rather watch a talk stay tuned for details of our webinar series.
• Create an awareness raising display in your office, classroom, clubhouse etc. Download a poster (PDF) and free awareness raising materials below.
• Hold a baking competition – download some ID materials on priority species and ask your colleagues to have a go at recreating them in cake form!
• Share Be Plant Wise materials with your family and friends, or even a local garden centre to encourage gardeners to dispose of plants responsibly and avoid them spreading into the wild.
• Arrange a Check Clean Dry demonstration at your angling / paddling / sailing club to show how easy it is to keep your kit free of invasive species.
• If you are a pet owner, thinking of becoming one or are a pet trader – become familiar with the guidance of the Be Pet Wise campaign.
• Put together a trail or hold tours for visitors highlighting all the invasive non-native species in your collection, any native species that are impacted by them, and any stories about how they were introduced and the impacts they could have on the environment.
• Run a competition or quiz to design an invasive species.
• Arrange a lunchtime walk with others to look out for common invasive species near you.
• Contact local media to raise awareness of invasive non-native species and your work.
• Enlist any celebrities you know to support Invasive Species Week!

Online activities

• Include articles in your newsletter, website, blog, membership magazine, mailing list. We’ll be adding some key facts here to help you soon. Think about which species are most relevant to you and the audience you’re trying to reach, local or business issues are more likely to get their attention.
• Share information on social media. During Invasive Species Week follow @BioDataCentre and @InvasiveSp (external link) on Twitter, retweet posts and create additional posts of your own if you can. Remember to use #ReportInvasives and #INNSweek in any posts on social media. Each day we’ll be focusing on a key theme, find details above.
• If you work or volunteer outdoors, use our resources on biosecurity, identification and recording for your team.
• Arrange a webinar with a talk about invasive species and how to prevent their spread. If you’d rather watch a talk stay tuned for details of our webinar series.
• Livestream from the field or film a survey to show which non-native species are likely to be seen on a walk.
• Put together a virtual tour for visitors highlighting all the invasive non-native species in your collection, any native species that are impacted by them, and any stories about how they were introduced and the impacts they could have on the environment.
• Run a competition or quiz to design an invasive species.
• Enlist any celebrities you know to support Invasive Species Week!

Invasive Species Week 2024

Invasive Species Week 2024 was held during 20th -26th May 2024.

Over 200 organisations took part in Invasive Species Week 2024 and 75 events were held. View highlights from 2024.