Background Amphibians rely on the presence of small wetlands and small landscape features such as hedges, ditches and small pockets of woodland. The large-scale rural land consolidation schemes in the Netherlands have done away with many of these habitats, with the result that the amphibians, too, are rapidly disappearing. This project tackles the conservation of five particularly vulnerable amphibian species - the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata), great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), common spadefoot (Pelobates fuscus), European tree frog (Hyla arborea) and midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans). Objectives Partnership is particularly important in this project. The beneficiary (Staatsbosbeheer) collaborates with provincial landscape foundations (Overijssel, Gelderland, Limburg), an NGO with much expertise in herpetology (RAVON) and the largest conservation NGO in the Netherlands, Natuurmonumenten. A total of 14 subsites have been selected and in each of these, the partners are to carry out small-scale conservation works to protect the existing populations and expand their habitats. Pools will be dug, ditches will be restored, depressions will be created, hedges will be planted (or removed where they are detrimental to the target species). An "AMBITION" website is to be set up to promote collaboration between the partners and exchange information. Special measures will also be undertaken to inform the public at large. Before the LIFE project began, national recovery plans had been designed for the midwife toad and the tree frog. A four-step approach had been developed to restore the populations of these species and improve the state of conservation of their habitats: (1) protect the existing populations, (2) enlarge the size of habitats around the core areas, (3) provide ecological corridors between the populations, and finally (4) create meta-population structures. Results Despite the logistical challenges posed by a multi-site, multi-species project, the AMBITION team successfully completed all the designated project actions by the end of 2008. These actions included digging of ponds, restoration of ditches and planting or removal of hedges (depending on their impact on particular species). At Geuldal in Limburg province, steps were taken to increase a population by connecting clusters of pools and improving terrestrial habitats. Whilst it is still too early to assess the full impact of many of the project actions, already there are positive signs. For instance, between 1997 and 2007/8, the population of active calling males of Hyla arborea grew sevenfold. In some project sites, such as Achterhoek, the range of the European tree frog has also increased. Furthermore, Northeast Overijssel is now more or less a metapopulation for the great crested newt and treefrog. Another excellent outcome is the fact that in one area where Bombina variegata was almost extinct (one known individual), there are now some 40 yellow-bellied toads. The AMBITION project has also made significant efforts to publicise its actions, including setting up a project website, erecting information panels at each project site, hosting excursions, press conferences and two workshops (attended by researchers from Belgium, France, Germany and UK), as well as participating in international conferences (for instance in Valencia, Spain in May 2008). The project team was also keen to involve members of the public in its actions: e.g. nearly 50 volunteers in the south of the country helped to count the midwife toads. Further information on the Layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).