Background Kõpu Peninsula, on the westernmost tip of Hiiumaa Island in Estonia, harbours a complex and highly diverse range of habitat types in a relatively small area, making it a biodiversity hotspot. There are no less than 23 habitat types, including eight priority habitats such as grey dunes, Baltic coastal meadows, bog woodlands, western taiga and wooded meadows. In order to assure the long-term protection of these important nature values, a process was initiated in 2000 to establish a national park on the Kõpu peninsula. As a result of its scenic attraction, Kõpu is under increasing pressure from visiting tourists and recreationists (some 60 000 visitors per year). There is, however, a lack of facilities available to these visitors to channel them away from sensitive areas. The habitats also face a range of other threats: The meadows and grasslands are becoming overgrown and neglected now that they are no longer used for haymaking and grazing, while the commercial value of the peninsula’s forests means are also at risk. Objectives The overall objective of this project was to ensure a favourable conservation status to the various habitats on the peninsula. Finding ways to canalise the large number of visitors to attractive sites without damaging nature values was one of the main challenges to be tackled within the project. The first step was to draw up a detailed management plan and zoning scheme for planning visitor management and then begin to implement this through the project. Thus, some basic facilities would provided to redirect visitors away from the most sensitive areas. This would be further supported by various dissemination activities aimed at the local community and visitors, such as a permanent exhibition, a seminar room and a nature trail at Ristna Nature School. The management plan would also elaborate on other activities required to ensure the favourable conservation status of the complex mosaic of habitat types present at the project site. Some of these activities were also to be implemented: for instance, 292 ha of meadows and grasslands would be cleared of overgrowth before re-introducing regular management such as grazing and mowing. Results The beneficiary successfully prepared a management plan for the period 2007-2016 covering 14 sites, an important tool for future management of the area. The plan defines the future management actions and parties responsible for each action and is being implemented by the State Nature Conservation Centre. The aim is to continue the restoration and management of the semi-natural habitats with five-year contracts on habitat management and agri-environmental subsidies. Farmers are responsible for the maintenance work and applying for these subsidies. The nature conservation status of the project areas was improved through the establishment of Special Protection Area (SPA) status for Hirmuste, Kõpu and Suureranna. Nature conservation areas were also created at Paope and Kõpu. A total of 22.5 ha, out of the planned 30 ha, of various kinds of semi-natural habitats were restored, including coastal and wooded meadows. Some 6.4 km of fencing was installed, including approximately 3 km of traditional wooden fences. Management through grazing/mowing was introduced on a total of 210-292 ha of semi-natural habitats (or 70-90% of the area targeted). Restoration and management actions were mainly implemented by local farmers with national semi-natural habitat support, although the level of support was considered low compared with the costs. Courses such as fence building, painting, photography and handicrafts were organised for the young people of Hiiumaa, helping to promote the Natura 2000 network. A network of well-structured recreational sites was established on Kõpu Peninsula to direct recreational use and to prevent unnecessary human impact on valuable dune and other coastal habitats. These sites have proved popular with both local residents and tourists. This activity was supported by publications on the recreational possibilities in the project areas. Other dissemination activities included a web portal about the LIFE Nature project and the natural values and recreational possibilities of the Kõpu Peninsula. Ristna Nature School was renovated and opened with a permanent exhibition on N2000 values, attracting more than 1 000 visitors during the first season.