Background Coastal areas have suffered major transformations throughout Europe during the last decades. The Cadiz coastline in southern Andalusia covers a relatively small area but hosts an enormous diversity of habitats, biodiversity and landscapes. Many of these are very fragile and require conservation actions to sustain the quality of their natural heritage assets. Habitat threats noted along the coastline area included: transformation of disused salt pans into commercial fish farm, causing the destruction of habitats for several EU-listed bird species; lack of adequate visitor control risked unsettling local species; and the spread of invasive, exotic flora was also considered a threat to the coastline’s environment. Objectives This LIFE project undertook actions in different coastal habitats on three Natura 2000 sites - in the Cadiz Bay, at Trafalgar’s Point, and around Pine Grove in Roche. The following habitat types were targeted: littoral dunes, wetlands, rocky coast, mudflats and sandbanks. Issues concerning local planning and environmental management were to be addressed via new management plans for coastal habitats in the Cadiz Natura 2000 sites. These aimed to demonstrate sustainable approaches to coastal habitat management. In Cadiz Bay, a management and monitoring plan for the former salt pan habitats was proposed, which included restoration of the regulation system for controlling sea water levels in the project area. Restoration of dune vegetation and visitor control measures were planned for Trafalgar’s Point and LIFE funds were also allocated to restore coastal juniper (Juniperus macrocarpa) habitats at Pine Grove in Roche. An inclusive approach was favoured by the Andalusian Government, which prioritised cooperation with different stakeholders, such as administrations, universities and NGOs. Information and publicity actions were also included within the LIFE project with aimed to increase awareness about the nature conservation work amongst local communities and visitors. Results The project’s inclusive objectives led to the participation of key stakeholders including: the Regional Department of Environment (Junta de Andalucía); Coastal Demarcartion of Andalusian-Atlantic (Spanish Ministry of Environment); The University of Cádiz (through the Coastal Management and Planning Group and the Group for the conservation of the littoral wetlands); and the NGO ‘Ecologistas en Acción’. Each of these entities carried out specific actions within the LIFE project framework resulting in: Technical training being delivered in topics that helped establish standardised approaches and methods for integrated management of coastal habitats; A new management and monitoring plan being prepared for the saltpans in the Trocadero Island; Purchase of the rights to use the saltpans on Trocadero Island; Restoration of infrastructure to regulate water levels in the saltpans on Trocadero Island (‘La Covacha’ and El Consulado’); Restoration of dune vegetation and construction of signposted paths in the SCI ‘Punta de Trafalgar’; Adaptation of access paths to the beaches and coves of the SCI ‘Pinar de Roche’ and restoration of the coastal juniper communities; Implementation of an awareness campaign about the conservation of coastal habitats; A new Management plan for the coastal habitats in the province of Cádiz; and Creation of the project web site. Success factors attributed to the project include: The participatory nature of the project allowed the integration of opinions and points of view from all stakeholders involved; The intrinsic complexity of coastal areas required a mixture of actions which provide useful experience for future interventions; The increased awareness about the nature value of the Natura 2000 network sites will help strengthen public support for addressing conservation issues; The strategic approach, involving a common vision and associated coordinated conservation actions (acquisition of land, elaboration of management plans, training of staff and managers, public awareness), will help ensure continuity of the LIFE project work; and The cooperation generated during the project, between the various administrations with responsibility for the coastal areas of the province, will help ensure sustainability of the LIFE project’s habitat conservation legacy. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).