Background The mountainous area of Monfurado is a proposed Site of Community Importance for Natura 2000. It covers almost 4000 ha and holds a mix of listed habitats and species which rely on the site’s Atlantic and continental climate influences. Threats had been detected here that risked adversely affecting the natural regeneration potential of protected habitats like cork and oalm oak montados. Pressures from over-grazing, water pollution, water course barriers, illegal dumping, tourism, forest fires and changes in traditional rural practices were all combining to create long-term escalating problems for the mountain habitats. Objectives The LIFE project’s main objective focused on improving the conservation status of the Annex I habitats and Annex II species present in the site. Raising awareness among the local population about the site’s importance and value was a high priority for this goal, which also involved a coordinated programme of habitat management actions. Management plans, GIS inventories of species and habitat features, practical restoration work, access and hunting controls, fire prevention, and monitoring activities were all included in the LIFE project’s habitat conservation toolkit. Results The project achieved its ambitious objectives and a conservation framework is now in place to manage and protect Annex I habitats and Annex II species at the Natura site. Habitats and species benefitting from the LIFE interventions include Quercus sp populations, ichthyic fauna, Mediterranean temporary wetlands, chiropters, Microtus cabrerae, Discoglossus galganoi and Halimium verticillatum. Works involved: sowing 670 ha of pseudosteppes with grasslands and annuals and implementing protection measures on the natural regeneration of 307 ha of Quercus plantations; recovery of 14 km of degraded riparian habitats including the installation of 15 km of fences and the plantation of 2878 specimens from the species Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia, Rosa canina, Rhamnus alaternus, Prunus spinosa, Crataegus monogyna, Salix salvifolia, Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus faginea; establishing a water quality monitoring system which uses aquatic moss species as bio-indicators; propagation of forestry and riparian species using specimens produced in the beneficiary’s nursery garden (840 Quercus faginea, 300 Q. Pyrenaica, 300 Q. Suber, 350 Q. Rustifolia, 800 Fraxinus angustifolia, 350 Salix salvifolia, 50 Myrtus communis, 100 Arbustus unedo, 40 Ruscus aculeatus, and 120 Rosa canina); and carrying out management trials to expand populations of Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus faginea via planting 180 specimens of Q. Faginea and 200 of Q. Pyrenaica. Works carried out have also helped to increase populations of priority flora species F. duriotagana and H. Vicentina. In addition the project improved and managed 30km of public access for visitors. LIFE funds were used here to regulate and clean rural roads, fence 1.55 of habitat, install 284 new directional and informative signs, and build 2 parking areas for bicycles. Furthermore, capacity was built to help authorities to better deal with forest fire risks using GIS technology that improves detection and response management. A new management system for hunting was introduced covering approximately 3000 ha of game area, and the project’s public awareness campaign reached a wide range of important local stakeholders. Information dissemination actions included preparing publications and organising events. Results were considered successful in improving people’s understanding of, and support for, long-term nature conservation plans at the Natura site. Alternative arrangements were put in place to the land purchase activities that were originally envisaged. These outcomes created cost savings as well as generated social benefits by involving stakeholders with special needs. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).