Background The capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the largest member of the grouse family. It has very specific habitat requirements, needing old coniferous forests with a rich interior structure and dense ground vegetation of Vaccinium species under a light canopy. At the interregional level (Alsace/Lorraine), the Vosges mountain range in north-eastern France is the western limit of distribution and the last refuge of the Vosges capercaillie sub-species Tetra urogallus major. However, only around 100 individuals remain here. Since 2007, the region of Lorraine has been committed to putting in place urgent measures favourable to the survival of the capercaillie. These actions form part of the interregional plan of preservation of forests of high ecological value. Objectives The Life+TétrasVoges project focused on maintaining favourable habitats and re-establishing the tranquillity necessary for the survival and development of the capercaillie, the most emblematic species of the Vosges forests and their biodiversity. The specific aims included putting in place forest management policy appropriate to the capercaillie's requirements; training forest managers; limiting tourist access to establish “quiet areas” for the birds, for example, by redirecting forest paths; and raising awareness among the general public of the threats faced by the Vosges capercaillie. The project sought to demonstrate that it is possible to protect the species and its environment, and at the same time continue with economically-important activities. Results The Life+TétrasVoges project created 803 ha of ageing forest woodlots in Lorraine and Alsace for capercaillie, with more than 30 communes committed to this action. A financial compensation scheme was put in place to help achieve this outcome. This was used to buy or lease land, on which to implement habitat conservation management for capercaillie. The project published a pro-Capercaillie sylviculture guide, which was produced as a result of extensive consultations between forestry stakeholders, especially ONF (L'Office National des Forêts) in Lorraine, and the project beneficiaries. The guide gives management instructions for each type of forest stand found in the Vosges massif. It was included in a specific ONF publication dealing with resinous forest management. Almost all the forestry personnel in charge of public forest management received field training, which is the first step towards a concrete application of the guide. The project partners produced an ethno-sociological study using interview techniques to better understand the public's perception of the capercaillie and the worth of the forests. An in-depth and innovative genetic study of the capercaillie population was conducted (that will continue at least until 2017), which has enabled the connections between sub-populations to be determined and priority areas for intervention to be identified, particularly where fragmentation needs to be avoided or reduced. This genetic study was made possible thanks to the implementation of an observers’ network of 882 people trained to identify signs of capercaillie presence. The volunteer observers’ network was composed of people from different backgrounds, who enjoy hiking in the Vosges Mountains. In this way, some data was collected from areas that had not previously been surveyed. The project conducted many awareness-raising activities, such as local events targeting the general public. An activity targeting schoolchildren involved 124 school classes, with the production of educational books and videos. The project’s visibility was raised through an article in a national magazine, an information board installed in a highly-frequented wildlife park (250 000 visitors/year) and several other project exhibition boards. The project organised an international seminar in September 2013, with about 130 participants from 8 countries, in parallel with a LEADER project (‘Forest Project’). This joint organisation allowed significant technical exchanges between conservation and forest/wood industry experts and manager from the Jura region (France), Scotland, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and Luxembourg, including representatives from areas where the project’s work could be replicated. A partnership between the Vosges and Jura stakeholders, for instance, will facilitate the implementation of actions initiated during the project in the Jura region. In the short-term it is difficult to quantify the success of the project with respect to the number of individual birds, due to the small population size and weak reproduction dynamics. The evaluation of the population status will continue to be carried out by project partner France Groupe Tétras Vosges (GTV) every five years. The trend calculated for the 2005-2010 period (just before the implementation of most of the project's concrete actions) revealed an increase of individuals but a diminution of the area of presence, confirming the impact of habitat loss and disturbance on the bird population. The next update of the population status will be made in 2016. Despite the necessity of waiting for robust data, some signs of presence were observed in ageing woodlots created by the project. Furthermore, the project provides a major input to the French national plan to preserve the capercaillie. Other notable species were also observed in the ageing woodlots, such as the Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum). The specific actions to improve the conservation status of the capercaillie (an “umbrella species”) will benefit the entire forest bird fauna and biodiversity in the Vosges forests generally. The project worked to reconcile economic and recreational activities (motorised transport, mountain biking, hiking), even in areas within the Natura 2000 network. This was especially the case for activities likely to disturb target species. The project revealed the difficulty and effort required to conciliate all activities on one territory. Nevertheless, significant compromises were reached between different stakeholders, particularly for sylviculture. The project discussions with forest managers will allow the bird species to be protected, while economic activity continues. In terms of recreational activities, discussions are ongoing; though in Alsace an agreement has been made to create a large “quiet area”. The common goal is to implement practices to encourage economic, social and tourism development that are compatible with increasing the Vosges capercaillie population. These agreements should ensure that the 803 ha of favourable habitats are preserved for at least 30 years. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).