This story was originally produced by The Keene Sentinel . NHPR is republishing it in partnership with the Granite State News Collaborative .

Glossy buckthorn, Japanese knotweed and Asian bittersweet are just a few of the invasive plant species that keep New Hampshire State Rep. James Spillane up at night.

The Deerfield Republican, chairman of the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee, is leading an effort to develop a coordinated statewide strategy to combat plants that were brought to New Hampshire from other parts of the world, grow like wildfire and outcompete native vegetation.

Among other things, that effort will involve public outreach, mapping and identifying funding sources.

A working group of legislators, state agency representatives, landowner organi

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