Background The populations of most species of Procellariiform seabirds in the Azores have been reduced in the last 500 years by several orders of magnitude. Few petrel species have been entirely lost from the archipelago, but their ecological functions have effectively ceased with profound consequences for native terrestrial communities. The population crashes have been caused by three main factors: over-harvesting, introduced predators and habitat destruction. Human harvesting has ceased, but introduced predators are ubiquitous on the main islands and have reached several of the offshore islets. Habitat destruction, primarily to make way for agricultural development, has also resulted in the spread of invasive alien plants. Despite bird population declines, the archipelago remains of critical importance for the conservation of several Bird Directive Annex 1 petrel species. Actions to conserve the remnant populations of petrels in the Azores have been developed, mostly involving seabird monitoring, colony identification and census. Active management of sites, however, has been limited; though the small-scale experimental studies have shown the potential for large-scale management and restoration of seabird colonies. Objectives The Safe Islands for Seabirds project aimed to prepare for the full restoration of seabird habitats on Corvo, the smallest of the large uninhabited islands in the Azores and the one offering the best potential for seabird re-colonization. The objectives involved the implementation of innovative approaches and methodologies to increase the number, density and distribution range of seabirds on Corvo, including predator-free enclosures, exotic vegetation control, and seabird monitoring and management. One aim is to produce a complete alien mammal's operational plan for Corvo, in collaboration with local stakeholders, with eradication techniques being demonstrated at project sites. Results The Safe Islands for Seabirds project demonstrated that the large-scale restoration of seabird habitats is possible through the use of innovative methods and approaches, with the ultimate aim of bringing more seabirds back to the Azores. The project team created GIS distribution maps for alien mammals and plants for Corvo Island and Vila Franca do Campo Islet, as the basis for a draft operation plan to eradicate them from target areas. A Biological Reserve was successfully established on Corvo by the LIFE project, with bio-security fencing extending for about 700m to prevent animals entering the delimited area. A bio-security protocol was drafted. Invasive alien mammals and plants were removed from this area and two existing reserves. The project showed that eradicating rats from uninhabited islands in the Azores was technically feasible, though total eradication was not deemed feasible given the current social, economic and political framework. Field tests were conducted at the three project sites: the 12 ha Altitude Reserve on Corvo, the newly-created 3.5 ha Corvo Biological Reserve, and on the small Vila Franca do Campo Islet. A cat neutering (de-sexing) and tagging programme was conducted by the LIFE project. Domestic cats were identified with a chip and most were sterilized. Feral cats were captured in a total of seven trapping campaigns, with 60 animals being caught, chipped, sterilized and released in areas free of bird nests. The project team ensured that this procedure will continue through local nature conservation and veterinarian entities. Based on a vegetation survey of Corvo Island produced by Azores University, about 35 kg of seeds of endemic flora were collected (mostly Erica azorica and Myrica faya) to sow the Corvo Biological Reserve and to be propagated in a local nursery for transplanting to all project sites. About 10 800 plants were transplanted in project areas on Corvo Island (7 300 plants in the Biological Reserve and 3 500 plants in the Altitude Reserve), and 12 300 were planted on Vila Franca do Campo Islet. Native flora helps create optimal conditions for burrowing birds. In order to attract Procellariform seabirds to the project sites after rodent removal, 250 nest boxes were placed in the Corvo Biological Reserve and 150 in Vila Franca do Campo Islet; bird-calling systems were also installed. A census of seabird populations conducted by the LIFE project used combined data from automatic recorders, radar and direct field observations. The nocturnal burrow-nesting behaviour of target seabirds made surveying difficult. Several hundreds Cory’s shearwaters were saved during the campaigns “SOS Cagarro” and a breeding pair was followed online for the first time and seen by more than 25 000 people in 70 countries. Waste management actions on Corvo Island were successfully concluded, with a more efficient system of recycling boxes being installed. A visitors’ trail was established on Corvo, including five interpretation points with information boards. A web-based virtual Azores sea bird resource was also produced. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).