Background Monte Amiata is a massif located in the southern part of Tuscany, whose western slopes include the SCI of Monte Labbro and Alta Valle dell’Albegna. The later is an area of more than 6 000 ha where a LIFE-Nature project was successfully concluded in 2003 (LIFE99NAT/IT/006229). That project aimed at a wide conservation improvement of the numerous habitats and species of EU importance present in the site, including dry grasslands on calcareous substrate (Festuco-Brometalia), which is a priority for conservation as an important orchid site, and the Juniperus formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands. One of the outcomes of the project was the designation of the site as a SPA for the presence of birds like the lanner (Falco biarmicus), the red kite (Milvus milvus) and the Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus), which nest in the project area. A wide range of actions was carried out in the first phase, such as removal of invasive shrubs and alien trees, fencing of overgrazed grasslands, restoration of reproductive sites for amphibians and the drawing up of a management plan for the pSCI. The measures carried out achieved positive results and significantly reduced or eliminated existing threats. The present beneficiary, the Amiata Grossetana mountain community, intends to extend these actions to other areas within the same site and to implement a series of measures for the protection of bird species. Objectives To reach its objective, the beneficiary aimed to carry out a series of specific measures including the removal of infesting exotic species from the priority habitat – semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (important orchid sites) – and from the habitat of Community interest – Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands – in order to preserve these habitats and recreate wide feeding areas for birds of prey. Conservation of lanner, Montagu’s harrier and of other birds of prey included in the Annex I of the Birds Directive, would be achieved through the monitoring and surveillance of the most important nesting sites, making power lines safe, the creation of feeding areas and the restoration of nesting sites. A breeding centre for red kite would be created, in order to support its restocking. Other actions included the restoration and the creation of small ponds for amphibians. The mountain community would continue to carry out an extensive public awareness-raising campaign targeting the different users of the area, the local communities and especially the school population. Informative routes for visitors would be created in order to increase public knowledge of the Natura 2000 network. Results The project took place in the SCI/SPA Monte Labbro-Alta valle dell'Albegna, in south Tuscany. Improvements to the habitats of this Natura 2000 site included the restoration of 70ha semi-natural dry grasslands, the construction of ten new ponds covering a total of 726m2, and the conversion of about 58ha of artificial conifer stands to broadleaves forests through thinning and gap opening. These measures also serve as an example for others shepherds: now many landowners are performing the same interventions on their property. The project completed the following actions for the conservation of the raptors and the improvement of their habitats: The construction of a recovery centre for raptors at Loc. Rocchette di Fazio. The making safe of 4 600m of power lines dangerous for the birds. The construction of two charnels and two other aerial platforms - for the feeding of raptors; these two charnels were built in a private area and directly involves local farmers in their management. The improvement of natural hollows on the cliffs at loc. Bosco di Rocconi and gole di Pescinello to increase the potential nesting sites for lanners.Finally, the reintroduction of a red kite population in Tuscany has started: five individuals were released in August 2007 and 20 in 2008. Though three individuals of red kite have already died from electrocution, a stable population of about 16 individuals of red kite now live in the area. An informative and awareness raising campaign was carried out through the organisation of meetings with the stakeholders (hunters, farmers, local administrations), the setting up of many information panels along naturalistic trials at Bosco di Rocconi and at the Cassero at Roccalbegna; the production of CDs, leaflets, bird guides, brochures and a website. The project also drew up a management plan for the SCI/SPA Monte Labbro Alta Valle dell'Albegna that is awaiting approval. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).