Background The costal lagoons and Mediterranean salt steppes located within the project area are subject to significant human pressure, especially during the high season for tourism, when thousands of visitors cause direct disturbance to nesting sites and indirect damage (e.g. an increase in the amount of waste to be managed in the local sewage treatment plant). Objectives This project aims to improve the conservation status of two priority for conservation habitats and four bird species included in the Birds Directive (Egretta garzetta, Himantopus himantopus, Sterna albifrons and Sterna hirundo), in Sardinia, Italy. It will purchase 5.1 ha of the Casaraccio coastal lagoon and initiate the purchase of 85ha by the local administration over a timespan of 5/7 years, restore the two priority habitats and construct artificial islands for nesting birds. The project specifically aims to: Ensure protection and conservation of habitats and species, included in the annexes of the Habitats Directive (92/43/CE) and in Annex I of the Birds Directive (79/409/CEE) that are present in Casaraccio lagoon Natura 2000 sites (“Stagno di Pilo Casaraccio”, “Stagno di Pilo, Casaraccio e Saline di Stintino”) – in particular, the little egret (Egretta garzetta), the black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), the little stern (Sterna albifrons) and the common stern (Sterna hirundo), as well as the coastal lagoons and salt Mediterranean steppes; Ensure the conservation status and increase the numbers of the target bird species in the Natura 2000 sites. By restoring the priority habitat, the coastal lagoon, the objective is to assure the habitat quality for the species existing on Casaraccio Lagoon through the creation and development of management actions: restoration and cleaning of the channel and embankment rearrangement; Reconcile the human activities directly or indirectly affecting the habitats and species status existing on the Natura 2000 sites with their conservation needs, by promoting sustainable economic activities linked to the sustainable management of the natural environment and its resources. The project will clean the mouths and channel of the lagoon thereby improving fishing activities the tourist enjoyment of the area. Make better use of the area by connecting the nature paths of Casaraccio Lagoon with those of adjacent Natura 2000 sites “Coste e isolette a Nord- ovest della Sardegna” within the establishment of an ecological corridor of lagoon and cliff habitats; and Promote the natural value of the lagoon and the Natura 2000 network. Expected results: The project expects to improve and increase the conservation status of the target species. Specific results will include: Publication of an action plan for the conservation of the target species; Purchase of 5,1ha of the lagoon, with initiated long-term purcahse of more than 90 ha of the lagoon; Construction of artificial islets to favour the nesting of the target species far from areas of tourism; Implementation of nature restoration measures in the lagoon; Closure to the public of the nesting areas and installation of wooden footpaths and barriers; Education and awareness-raising programmes for the local populations and visitors; and Ex-ante, in progress and ex-post monitoring of the conservation measures.