Background The project area focuses on Natura 2000 sites that cover 234 sq km and extend across the rural districts of Böblingen, Calw, Enzkreis and Ludwigsburg. The area is characterised by the variety of natural landscape features. The Natura 2000 sites are located between the large natural landscape areas of the northern Black Forest, Swabian Alb and Odenwald and also cover the natural areas of Stromberg/Heuchelberg, Neckarbecken, SchwarzwaldRandplatten, Obere Gäue, Schönbuch and Glemswald. Objectives The project’s overall objective is to improve the conservation status of the rare or endangered animal and plant species found in the Natura 2000 sites of Stromberg, Heckengäu and Schönbuch. Specific goals are to: Improve and extend the endangered open landscape habitat types: Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands, semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates partly rich in orchids (high priority), lowland hay meadows, as well as calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation; partly in combination with habitat optimisation for species under the Birds and Habitats Directive (including smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), and sand lizard (Lacerta agilis); Create suitable conditions to support the habitat type, Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae; Create high-priority, alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus; Create and improve a network of habitats for the Annex II species, yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) and crested newt (Triturus cristatus); Construct hibernation sites for the bat species included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive: greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis), Bechstein's bat (Myotis bechsteinii) and Barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus). These measures will also benefit bat species included in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive: Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) and whiskered bat (Myotis mystacinus); Enhance knowledge on the occurrence and habitat requirements of the targeted bat species within the area of the Schönbuch; Optimise the occurrence of the butterflies, dusky large blue (Maculinea nausithous) and the scarce large blue (Maculinea teleius), and improve their habitat; Improve the open orchard areas of the Stromberg and the hillsides of the Schönbuch as habitats for species listed in the Birds Directive: Eurasian wryneck (Jynx torquilla), great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), brey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus), collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) and red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). Expected results: The development of semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies of calcarous substrates, Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands and lowland hay meadows on c. 60 ha. The optimisation of semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies of calcarous substrates and lowland hay meadows along hedges on a total area of c.10 km; Initial management of succession areas of 59 ha. for bird species, nature-conserving pruning of 50 fruit trees and training of LOGL-certified fruit tree managers; The training of 20 yellow-bellied toad specialists, the transfer of best practice from other LIFE projects, and the creation of spawning grounds at 30 locations; The creation of a 1,500 m² pond for the crested newt and for the habitat, Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae, and the securing of spawning grounds; Improved knowledge of bat species in the Schönbuch, the extension of measures to other forest areas (multiplier effect), and the creation of two hibernation sites within the Schönbuch FFH (flora, fauna and habitat) region; The creation of at least 0.5 ha of alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior and the promotion of dynamic river and floodplain development on the Nagold; Meadow management contracts for at least 5 ha, benefiting the target species: dusky large blue (Maculinea nausithous) and scarce large blue (Maculinea teleius).