From garden escapes to ecosystem takeovers, invasive species are a fast-growing threat to biodiversity worldwide. This year’s Iberian Week on Invasive Species (SEI2025), held from 3 to 11 May, offered a powerful reminder of the role we all play in protecting our natural spaces. 

This cross-border campaign, celebrated yearly since 2020 across Spain and Portugal, brings together scientists, schools, local communities, and decision-makers to raise awareness and take action about invasive alien species—non-native plants and animals that negatively impact the ecological balance. With more than 200 events, SEI2025 turned science into action and conversation into collaboration.

Joana Vicente (InvasionS, CIBIO-BIOPOLIS) presenting OneSTOP's main pillars

This year, OneSTOP proudly joined the campaign, spotlighting its work through a range of engaging activities. 

In Spain, project partners from the Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Science (CAS), in collaboration with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), organised a bioblitz event – a participatory citizen science initiative aimed at recording as many species as possible in a specific location and within a set period. From real-world case studies in Argentina and Iceland to a game of “native or invasive” in the stunning Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, participants were challenged to think critically—and creatively—about how we respond to biological invasions. Winners from the game on whether attendants could differentiate invasive and native species even took home native plants to brighten their gardens and boost local biodiversity. 

Group picture of the bioblitz attendants in Spain

In Portugal, OneSTOP held its very first Living Lab workshop at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, bringing together a diverse mix of voices from government, academia, business, and civil society. Through interactive exercises, surveys, and participatory mapping, attendees shared their knowledge, pinpointed priority areas for action, and explored where new technologies could best support detection and monitoring efforts. From coffee break chats to dynamic group work, the spirit of co-creation was clear. Participants left inspired, connected, and ready to keep the momentum going.

Group picture of the workshop attendants in Portugal

By taking part in SEI2025, OneSTOP hopes to foster a culture of collective action because protecting nature from invasive species is not a one-off job. It’s an ongoing effort where everyone can make a difference.