Non-native, invasive plants – such as wild parsnip, Japanese knotweed and garlic mustard – are one of the biggest threats to the ecological balance of our forests. They are also challenging and expensive to try to manage and eradicate. We talk to Tim Schmalz, the state’s plant pathologist at the Agency of Agriculture, about invasive plants, and what’s being done to combat them and prevent their spread.

Also on the program, we talk to Burlington Police Chief Mike Schurling about the demonstration that turned violent outside the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers on Sunday.