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Dr Jill Rapson: Community Service Visitors hosted Dr Bruno Fogliani, University of New Caledonia - 3 months in late 2005. Bruno came to Massey to learn seed analysis techniques and is planning a study of ultramafic flora of New Zealand. Dr Matt Loper, Shoreline Community College, Seattle - 3 months in 2004. Matt has commenced compiling a study of impacts of predicted climate change scenarios for invasive weeds in New Zealand. Dr Ullrich Asmus, University of Applied Science, Weihenstephan - three months in late 2003. Ulle completed the first thorough study of the flora of urban areas of the lower North Island. An expert botanist, Ulle clarified several species identification problems in New Zealand, and also made the first New Zealand record of a tropical fern. Dr Sandra Diaz, University of Cordoba in Argentina - January 2003. We compiled some functional type information on a range of native and exotic grass species from the lower North Island, to compare with Argentinian grasses, to determine if moa were significant grazers of New Zealand's tussocklands. Scientific editing I have a long history of involvement in scientific editing, having been on the paper-handling editorial board of New Zealand Journal of Ecology from 1989-1991, and been its Editor for five years (1991-1995). Next I joined the editorial team of Journal of Vegetation Science (1999- 2005), the official journal of the International Association of Vegetation Science, published in Sweden. I was one of 12 international associate editors, each co-coordinating processing of around 20 papers submitted for publication per year. I continue to referee papers, and comment on issues in science publishing. IAVS conference I hosted the 49th annual conference of the International Association for Vegetation Science in Palmerston North in February 2007, the New Zealand summer. This meeting of about 170 participants had as key topic the contribution of New Zealand vegetation to thinking about international ecology, with seven other symposia. In addition, there were three weeks of field trips for vegetation specialists. Manawatu Botanical Society Peter van Essen and I co-founded the Manawatu Botanical Society in July 1989, which operates as part of the national network of local botanical societies, produces annual or twice yearly newsletters, organising trips and excursions, and a regular programme of talks. The latest newsletter may be viewed here. Keeble’s Bush I am secretary and treasurer for the Board of Trustees overseeing this closed-access, privately owned remnant of Manawatu lowland podocarp forest, reserved for scientific purposes. I organise some workparties and supervise volunteers (particularly weed control) for both the Bush and associated plantings, for which I grow some of the plants.