Background Euro-Siberian steppic woods with Quercus ssp. and Pannonic sand steppes are habitats found exclusively in the Carpathian Basin. The steppic oak forests of Nagykőrös represent the last roughly continuous area of them. These habitats are seriously threatened by the spread of alien species, problems with natural forest regeneration, improper forest management practices, fragmentation, lack of public awareness and information related to this area. Objectives The main objective of the project was to ensure the long-term conservation and the improvement of the favourable conservational status of the Euro-Siberian steppic woods with Quercus ssp. and Pannonic sand steppes priority habitats in the Natura 2000 site, Nagykőrösi pusztai tölgyesek’. This would be achieved through the cooperation between the Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate, the local government of Nagykőrös and the WWF Hungary. Foreseen measures included: Suppression of invasive trees and herbs in the area using appropriate mechanical and chemical methods. Fencing off the forest compartments and their monitoring. Guarantee of sustainable forest management focused on 90 years of conservational management. Reconstruction of the inner and external unity of the habitat of steppic oak forests by artificial forest regeneration. Public awareness-raising through the media and the dissemination of information. The drawing up of a management plan for the area. Results The HUNSTEPPICOAKS project removed invasive species from the 420 ha target area (it is now 90-95 % free of invasive plants, namely black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia) and black cherry (Prunus serotina)). Moreover, 175 ha of private land were reserved for nature conservation: special 90-year leasing contracts were signed. In parallel to this initiative, the proposed forest management actions were communicated to the forestry authority and incorporated into the 10-year forestry management plans. In total, 260 ha of forests were fenced off to allow for their natural regeneration without the heavy grazing pressure of big game. The project also restored 65 ha plantations of introduced species to their natural condition through the planting of native tree species. Homogeneous stands of introduced species are removed from the edge and interior of priority habitat patches of the target area. The forest (oak trees, in particular), however, will time several years to regenerate. Partial soil preparation is helping this effort, but the problem of overstocked game remains. However, wire fencing off of certain areas significantly decreased the damage caused by the presence of big game, and some forms of damage were completely eliminated. Meanwhile, an educational strategy was devised and in June 2008, the Pálfája Educational Centre and Nature Trail was opened. Thanks to good publicity actions, the centre soon became a popular and integral part of the educational activities of the area. The dissemination of project results and the awareness rising about the significance of the priority habitats were done through various media, both on site and at national level. As well as field visits organised for conservation experts, conservational NGOs and forest managers, an international conference was held with 139 participants in October 2011, and a thematic monograph was published – both in cooperation with the LIFE-Nature project, ‘HUNDIDI’ (LIFE06/NAT/H/000104). Biodiversity and management monitoring surveys documented the dynamics of the priority habitats and effects of the management actions. Data collection took place continuously during the five years of the project span. From these monitoring activities the Natura 2000 management plan was drawn up. The After-LIFE Conservation Plan included agreements with the project partners and the respective forest company responsible for the forest management (NEFAG). The Natura 2000 management plan and the land-leasing contracts establish the conditions for the long-term management of the steppic oak forests. The combination of all above listed activities contributed to the improvement of the conservation status of ‘Nagykorősi pusztai tölgyesek’ Natura 2000 site. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).