Background The Pieniny National Park is unique in its diversity of habitat conditions, which has resulted in an exceptional mosaic of habitats. As a result of traditional and sustainable farming practices, rich and often unique non-forest communities have developed: mountain Trisetum meadows Polygono-Trisetion, communities of fresh meadows of Arrhenatherion elatioris and thermophilous rock grasslands Festuco-Brometea. The greatest threat to these communities is that the light-requiring species become shaded out by trees or taller plants and bushes. The species associated with thermophilous rock grasslands is the Pieniny treacle-mustard (Erysimum pieninicum), an endemic plant which prefers the mosaic of grasslands and shrubs. Maintenance of grasslands generally depends on activities such as extensive mowing, however much of the area covered by the park is in private hands, which has made it more difficult to carry out conservation actions than in the publicly-owned parts. Invasive alien species such as Sakhalin knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis) and Japanese knotweed (R. japonica) present a serious threat to native species in the project area. Uncontrolled tourism is another threat to protected species and habitats, especially when visitors stray from trails. Objectives The main objectives of the project focus on improving of the conservation status of rare species and valuable habitats in the Pieniny Natura 2000 network site. This will be achieved by means of a coordinated programme of nature conservation actions including: Dedicated actions for bats and amphibians; Land purchase; Tree and shrub clearance; Removal of invasive species; Mowing; Managing visitor pressures; and Stakeholder communication activities. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: Enhanced nature conservation results covering approximately 24 ha of meadows and 16 ha of restored commercial forest area (via the purchase of 40 ha of land); Balancing of grazing pressures at five sites in the area of Majerz glade to reduce threats and create favourable breeding conditions for three amphibian species (Triturus montandoni, Triturus alpestris and Bombina variegate); Habitat improvements to facilitate favourable conditions for further development of the breeding colony of the lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) - located in the attic of the PPN head office; Better management of visitor pressures along 1.26 km of footpath trails; Active management of some 8 ha of xerothermic rock grasslands to prevent the threat of overgrowth by trees and/or shrubs; Safeguarding of the conservation status of the Pieniny treacle-mustard and habitat conditions for species reliant on the mosaic of grasslands and shrubs on the project site’s castle hill area (0.5 ha); and Removal of invasive riparian species from a 10 km stretch of the Dunajec River. This work will pay special attention to reducing the presence of Sakhalin knotweed and Japanese knotweed by 50-80%.