Background Dupont's Lark is one of the most endangered and rare birds in Spain and Europe as a whole. In Spain, where it has a small, declining population, overgrazing or undergrazing and agricultural development have reduced its preferred habitats and caused its numbers to decline considerably. It is therefore included in the ‘endangered’ category of the Spanish Red Data Book, and it is legally classified as ‘vulnerable’ (Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species, R.D. 139/2011). At European level, it is an Annex I species of the Birds Directive, requiring special habitat conservation measures to ensure its survival and reproduction. In 2014, it was added to the Ornis Committee list and became a priority species for funding through the LIFE programme. Objectives The overall objective of LIFE Ricoti is to carry out specific measures to protect Dupont’s lark and its habitat in two Natura 2000 network sites in Soria (Castilla y Leon region) in Central Spain. The aim is to involve local stakeholders. Specific objectives are to: Carry out conservation measures in favour of the Dupont's lark population in the two target Natura 2000 network SPAs, ‘Altos de Barahona’ and ‘Páramo de Layna’ in southern Soria, which combined account for around 15% of the species’ total population in Europe; Increase habitat availability through direct habitat restoration measures and the maintenance and promotion of livestock management; Evaluate relationships between habitat quality and population viability in the framework of conservation strategies; Define criteria for habitat management of the species, which will be integrated into national and regional conservation strategies for the species; and Improve awareness and understanding of the ecological value of the species among local stakeholders. Expected results: Restoration of around 325 ha of habitat (equivalent to 33-81 potential areas) currently considered unsuitable or of low quality for Dupont's lark. Given an occupancy rate of 50%, this could mean a population increase of 15-40 reproductive pairs; Maintenance of traditional activities (sheep grazing) in areas with potentially suitable habitat for the species; Identification and definition of agri-environmental measures aimed at improving the habitat quality for the species and other pseudo-steppe bird species on the basis of a scientific evaluation of the relationships between traditional extensive grazing and food availability; Enhancement and improvement of people’s awareness of the presence of Dupont's lark in southern Soria; Integration of Dupont's lark into bird watching and tourism activities; Definition of management measures for the conservation of the species and its habitat in the region, in order to improve conservation prospects; and Management and conservation criteria to be incorporated into the National Conservation Strategy and Conservation Plan, under development with the participation of TEG-UAM.