Background The territory of Danta di Cadore, in the heart of the Dolomites, is covered mostly with conifers woods, interspersed with peat bogs of high naturalistic value. The area, a Site of Community Importance, however, is affected by high numbers of tourists and the survival of several habitats is threatened. These include six bogs – two of which (bog woodland and active raised bogs) are listed as priority in the Habitats Directive – the Nardus grasslands and the acidophilus mountain forests of Vaccinio-Picetea. The invasion of the bogs and surrounding grasslands by the reed bed and the wood is draining the soil and transforming humid areas into dry habitats. Salt, which is spread in winter along the road that crosses the bogs to melt the snow, is altering the chemical composition of the water, while the lack of maintenance of the tributaries is affecting the bogs hydraulic balance. Unregulated visitor activity represents another direct threat: trampling of soil increases its density and consequently changes the flora composition of the habitats. Finally, the concrete structure of a disused ski-lift facility has a negative ecological and landscape impact on the bogs. Objectives The project beneficiary, the municipality of Danta di Cadore, aimed to define and implement a co-ordinated strategy for the conservation of the bog complex. The actions would also benefit several plants, birds and other animals of EU interest, such as brown bog-rush (Schoenius ferrugineus), Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus) and yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata). The reed beds and the conifers invading the bogs would be cut and removed to avoid the silting of the wetland. Two small canals would be created along the road to collect the salt water and channel it downstream away from the bogs. In parallel, naturalistic engineering works would be carried out on the tributaries to guarantee an optimum inflow of freshwater to the wetland. Finally, the project would create a trail for visitors and inform them on the importance of the bogs through the distribution of leaflets and the creation of a visitors centre. The cement structure of the old ski-lift facility would be removed and the area re-naturalised in order to restore the continuum of the bogs. Results The project defined and implemented a co-ordinated strategy for the conservation of the bog area by drafting a detailed intervention plan. It also controlled the spread of reed beds and other invasive species on 38 ha, and the spread of the conifers invading the bogs on another 38 ha. This action was complemented by the yearly monitoring of the biodiversity status in the project site. Another key result of the project was the creation of two small canals along the road to collect the salt water and to channel it downstream of the bogs. It carried out seven small naturalistic engineering works on the surrounding creeks in order to guarantee an optimum inflow of freshwater to the wetland area. Visitors were channelled away from the bog area through the establishment of a didactic trail. They were also informed of the importance of the area through leaflets, an audio-guide and the setting up of an information centre. The cement structure of a disused ski-lift facility was removed to allow for the natural re-colonisation of the area and the restoration of the bogs. The beneficiary purchased around 12.5 ha of valuable bog land within the SCI. The project, however, demonstrated that the relationship between public authorities and private owners for the proper management of such areas is often a difficult one, partly because private owners are highly suspicious of the plans and interventions of local authorities and partly because these local authorities tend to underestimate such problems, not planning adequate awareness actions and hiring sufficient numbers of staff. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).