Background Most of the landowners and farmers who live in the mountains of Veternik and Oslica, in eastern Slovenia, are not aware of the importance of the grasslands and meadows so typical of the landscape that surrounds them. Their significance is however well known to the management of the Kozjanski regional park, beneficiary of this LIFE project, aimed at the preservation of two habitat types listed in the European Communities Directive 92/43: 'Semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia)with important orchid sites' and 'Mountain hay meadows'. Established in 1981, the park is responsible for the protection of an area that extends over 200 sq.km, including the site hosting one of the last formations of dry grasslands in the country. As in other parts of Europe the gradual abandoning of traditional farm practices has lead to an invasion of the dry grasslands areas by shrubs and trees. The introduction of chemical fertilizers in farming has also contributed to the deterioration of the landscape. The area is also important for the presence of one of the last populations of corncrake (Crex crex) in Slovenia. According to a census taken last year, 10 calling males are present in the park, 4 of which in the meadows. Objectives The long term objective of the project was the management and protection of about 500 ha of dry grasslands and meadows, combined with actions aimed at the safeguard of the last remaining population of Crex crex. Local landowners were to be involved both through a campaign of public information and through a specific program of financial incentives, to compensate for loss of profit when an agreement was reached for the elimination of chemical fertilizers, and to ensure regular mowing of meadows. The project included actions aimed at the restoration of meadows in about 40 ha of land, covered with trees and shrubs and at maintaining approximately 70 ha high grassland in good condition. Finally a specific plan for the conservation of meadows was to be elaborated and approved by the park before the end of the project, so as to ensure long term management. Results The project reached a great part of its objectives. Sites where nature conservation was not taken into consideration during the implementation of agricultural practices are now managed in a sustainable way. The main product of the project is the management plan for Veternik and Oslica high dry meadows (2004-2007) which cover a surface of 500 ha of this habitat of EU interest. The preparation of the plan has been carried out in strict co-operation with local stakeholders that will be the direct managers of the habitats of EU interest. This resulted in a participation of locals to the decision procedures on the management of their own area and in their full support to the actions proposed, posing the base for a long term conservation of the dry meadows. The project improved the conditions of 500 ha of Festuco Brometalia grassland (dry meadows) targeted, through the realisation of specific actions, such as mowing, removal of invasive shrubs and controlled pasturage. The beneficiary also succeeded in involving the farmers in the management of the dry meadows promoting the utilisation of the Rural Development Fund, insufficiently taken into consideration before the LIFE project. The intense, diversified and capillary awareness campaign efficiently diffused the knowledge of Natura 2000.