The BSBI have appointed Maria Long as their first Irish Officer. Maria will co-ordinating their activities in Ireland, supporting the Vice-county recorder network, as well as promoting other national projects. Maria will be based in the herbarium at the National Botanic Gardens for the two years of her appointment and looks forward to welcoming any BSBI members who wish to use the herbarium and library for their research. Not only does Maria bring a wealth of botanical knowledge to the post, but she is also an expert on slugs and snails, and has a background in grazing effects in the Burren.