Background The project targets two Natura 2000 sites: the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park and the Vedana lake. Established in 1990, the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park, one of the youngest national parks in Italy, extends over 30.000 ha of the alpine chain in Veneto region. Among the numerous habitats of EU interest present in the area, the project will focus on four classified as priority ones by the Habitats Directive. These habitats are currently affected by several factors which are contributing to their gradual disappearance. Shrubs are progressively invading the grassland habitats, while abandonment of pastures is resulting in a loss of biodiversity in the areas covered by dwarf mountain pine and Rhododendron hirsutum. Part of the actions of the project will be directed at the second Natura 2000 site, the Vedana Lake, outside the national park perimeter, where the presence of a discotheque is threatening the calcareous fens with great fen-sedge, Davall’s sedge and valuable fauna. Objectives The aim of this project was to protect EU-priority habitats within the Dolimiti Bellunesi national park and the species of EU interest linked to them. Favourable conservation of grasslands would be achieved through removal of weeds and invading trees and shrubs. These actions would have beneficial effects on the corncrake, nightjar and golden eagle. They will be followed by a campaign to encourage local farmers to take up again grazing of alpine pastures and the promotion of sustainable development. Selective felling of trees and creation of clearings in dwarf mountain pine stands would increase biodiversity and favour the presence of the white lady's slipper orchid. The population dynamics of the black grouse would be used as a bio-indicator of the effects of the actions. The acquisition of the Vedana Lake, the re-conversion of the discotheque into a visitors centre, followed by the inclusion of the lake within the perimeter of the park, would facilitate the restoration of the habitats of EU interest. Action plans will be drawn up for management of the grasslands and dwarf mountain pine stands. Results The project was terminated prematurely.