Physiotherapist earns over €5,000 combating invasive lupins through Crowdsorsa game in Kajaani

In the summer of 2023, Henri Meriläinen from Kajaani became captivated by eradicating invasive species through a mobile game. A physiotherapist currently on study leave to pursue a degree in information and communication technology, Meriläinen tried out the Crowdsorsa game, which municipalities use to engage residents in combating invasive plants. He has now earned over €5,000 by removing lupins, with more than €2,000 earned during a few weeks this summer.

“I saw this game in the news. I don’t have prior environmental training; I just got involved out of curiosity,” Meriläinen said. He noted that while the summer of 2023 was initially peaceful for him, more players soon joined the Crowdsorsa game. “On the very first day, I encountered a competitor,” he laughed.

This past summer, participants were paid 25 cents per square meter for removing lupins, but the budget allocated for the app ran out in places like Jämsä. According to Kainuu ELY Center’s invasive species coordinator Reima Leinonen, new innovations are consistently being developed to combat rapidly spreading invasive species. For instance, they are working on creating harvesters for roadside invasive species that will be cut down, compressed, and then transported for incineration, with the resulting ash being used as fertilizer.

Landowners are legally required to manage harmful invasive species at their own expense. Leinonen encourages seeking various funding sources, such as rural development funds, to support eradication efforts. He believes that games like Crowdsorsa can enhance invasive species management if municipalities provide additional funding. “Municipalities need to invest money to make this work, and I encourage them to consider this,” he remarked.

Leinonen’s message to Meriläinen and other enthusiastic invasive species eradicators is clear: “Keep going with the same approach. It’s a really great initiative!”