Background The Italian Alps between Veneto and Friuli Venezia-Giulia contain several sites for amphibians of EU Importance, including the endemic Aurora’s salamander (Salamandra atra aurorae), the southern crested newt (Triturus carnifex), the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegate) and the Lataste’s frog (Rana latastei). The Aurora’s salamander is a subspecies of the alpine salamander and has a very restricted range that is localised in the northern part of the Vicenza province. This amphibian spends all its life out of the water, living in crevices and burrows of meadows and woodlands, coming out at night or during rainy days. It gives birth to fully developed offspring. Its habitats also include many small wetlands where the three other mentioned amphibians lay their eggs for breeding. Threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation are responsible for the decline of the amphibian populations. Unsustainable grazing and tourism, insufficient public awareness, road killings and the collection of specimens adversely affect amphibians in the area, highlighting the lack of adequate land management that takes into account the conservation needs of amphibians. Objectives The project’s aim was to establish a long-term working team, operating in the Vicenza and Treviso provinces that will guarantee the protection of the target species. The team would include local authorities (five mountain communities, two municipalities and a park) under the supervision of a state university to promote conservation-oriented measures involving direct participation of the socio-economic actors. The project foresaw the drawing up of action plans for each species, as well as guidelines for the management of Natura 2000 sites and the establishment of a strict protection reserve for Aurora’s salamander. In order to increase the number and distribution of the targeted species, 59 potential reproductive sites of amphibians would be restored and ten new ones will be created. A water-collecting pool would be built as a specific drinking source for livestock to prevent damage to the wetlands used for reproduction by amphibians. Sustainable management practices would be implemented on 36ha of forests and 35ha of meadows and pastures, as well as for experimental and demonstration purposes, and promoted at local level. An information and awareness raising campaign would be carried out, including the organisation of stakeholder meetings and the production of CDs, leaflets, maps and a video. Results The protection of three amphibians (Triturus carnifex, Bombina variegata, Rana latastei) and of the Aurora’s salamander (Salamandra atra aurora) was ensured through the restoration of 59 pools and the construction of ten new ones in the Vicenza and Treviso provinces (North-Western Italy). A water-collecting pool was built as a specific drinking source for livestock to prevent damage to the wetlands used for reproduction by amphibians. Sustainable management of 35ha of forests and 40ha of meadows and pastures was put into practice through the thinning of artificial stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and the elimination of weeds (Deschampsia cespitosa) and invasive shrub species (Juniperus communis, Rosa canina, Corylus avellana, Sambucus racemosa). Such actions aided the development of microhabitats such as dead woods, small gaps suitable both for animal species and the natural regeneration of broadleaf species. Management practices were also introduced for experimental and demonstration purposes. Action plans for the four target species were drawn up and are currently in the process of being adopted. Though the project improved the conservation status of these species, the long-term conservation of the target species is not assured. In fact, the action plans have not yet been approved. Guidelines for the management of the Natura 2000 sites of the area were also drawn up. A strict protection area for Aurora’s salamander was located on the basis of the project results, but it has not yet been applied. A new subspecies of salamander (Salamandra atra pasubiensis) was discovered in the "Pasubio-Piccole Dolomiti" SCI. This discovery will require the updating of Natura 2000 and the national list of amphibians. Another success of the project is the future involvement of shepherds in the continuing management of the ponds and pasture land. An information and awareness-raising campaign was carried out through the organisation of stakeholder meetings and the production of CDs, leaflets, maps and a video. A guide will continue to be employed after the end of the project. The project actions improved the working conditions of more than 15 local grazers, and about ten students and two external consultants worked on the project’s monitoring activities. The construction of three information centres in the project areas should increase tourist numbers to the economic benefit of local communities. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).