Background Europe's mountain hay meadows are particularly endangered. Similar to other types of low-intensity agriculture/pasture hay meadows they are under threat from intensive farming practices or abandonment as unprofitable “marginal sites”. The mountain hay meadows near Winterberg are the largest clusters of this habitat in North Rhine-Westphalia – some 390 ha of Geranio sylvatici- Trisetetum - of which about 290 ha are found in designated Natura 2000 network sites - are recorded within the municipality of Winterberg at heights of 600-800 m. Another 120 ha of ‘montane Arrhenatherum elatius grasslands’ - of which about 90 ha are found in designated SCIs, have mostly been developed from Trisetum grasslands as a result of fertilisation. Objectives The planned project area comprises the “Bergwiesen bei Winterberg” and “Oberes Orketal” SCIs, with the most important remnants of montane grasslands on a total of 538 ha. The project aims to restore, ecologically improve and sustainably protect these nationally significant clusters of mountain hay meadow as high-risk plant communities and as a refuge for endangered montane species and habitats. The main objective is to restore or improve stands of Trisetetum flavescentis grasslands and closely related montane grassland communities. The project also aims to improve the conservation status of similarly degenerated isolated sites of European dry heaths and species-rich Nardus grasslands on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and sub-mountain areas in Continental Europe). These species-rich plant communities – in particular, mountain hay meadows – will be restored from degraded grassland stands, spruce afforestation, areas of intensive Douglas fir cultivation and by a re-introduction of low-intensity management systems on currently fallow land. The re-establishment of the typical species composition of mountain hay meadows will be undertaken mainly by the application of autochthonous seed-rich hay through hay sowing. Subsequently, a management system of annual or biannual hay cutting will be secured. For other areas a special form of grazing may be agreed upon. In the context of the process of hay drying, methods for extracting autochthonous, storable seed for regional sites of mountain hay meadow will be developed and implemented. Also, measures to restore or to improve degenerated plant stands will be undertaken within isolated areas of montane heaths and species-rich Nardus grasslands. Land purchase or long-term leasing contracts with compensation payments are necessary for implementing the conservation measures. The project will also aim to introduce sustainable land management systems and increase knowledge and appreciation of mountain hay meadows. Expected results: Grassland mapping and evaluation of 140 ha; Detailed management plans for the entire grassland area with foreseen project measures on 530 ha, as well as for spruce forests to be converted into alluvial forests on an area of some 1.3 ha; Purchase of 54 ha, of which 52.7 ha should be restored as mountain hay meadows and 1.3 ha as alluvial forests or heathlands; Restoration of 31 ha of mountain hay meadows on intensive agricultural land through hay and seed sowing as well as through planting of pre-cultivated target plant species; Re-establishment of 21 ha of mountain hay meadows and 1.3 ha of alluvial forests with alder (Alnus glutinosa) by converting spruce forest and Douglas fir plantations; Restoring and/or improving measures within the relicts of montane heaths and Nardus grassland (habitats 4030 and 6230*) within an area of about 4 ha; and Construction of a hay-drying unit with a seed extraction machine.