Background Running through a broad river valley between the municipalities of Domodossola and Pieve Vergonte, the river Toce in the Alps is the next largest tributary of Lake Maggiore after the river Ticino. It has been proposed as a site of Community interest: it is a very important site for nesting birds and especially migrating birds including the priority species, the corncrake (Crex crex), is prominent. The broad river reaches of this geographical location at the heart of the Val d’Ossola fulfil a vital role as an ecological corridor across the Alps during bird migration. The site is characterised mainly by environments comprising stretches of gravel river bed, accompanied by riverbank willow, white poplar and alder woods. The other elements of the river ecosystem, such as the relict wetlands and river beds, arid grasslands and hay meadows testify to the changed route of the watercourse over time and its seasonal variation in size. Like most Italian rivers, the Toce has been subject to various forms of human disturbance. Flooding has exacerbated such problems as bank erosion, silting of wetlands and the loss of native riverbank vegetation. Further threats to the site are posed by the reduction of areas suitable for fish reproduction, vehicular access to riverbank meadowland and the presence of overhead electricity lines. The project area at "Greto del fiume Toce" contains 29 birds (12 breeding), 5 fishes (of which Trota marmorata and Lampreda padana are endemic of northern Italy) and 11 bats priority species live in this site. Five habitats included in Annex I of Habitat Directive are present: Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition – type vegetation (3150); Alpine rivers and their ligneus vegetation with Salix eleagnos (3240); water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion (3260); lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) (6510); alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Salicion albae (Fraxinus excelsior) (91E0). Objectives The project aimed to help the conservation, rehabilitation and extension of the river and riverbank habitats along a stretch of the river Toce. The riverbank vegetation would be re-established by means of forestry planting operations and the accompanying removal of non-native species, while the riverbed work would mainly comprise the removal of excess sediment in order to combat silting. The sediment removed could be partially recycled to build banks preventing off-road vehicles from entering the meadowlands. In addition, breeding refuges will be constructed to encourage fish reproduction, and nesting boxes would be set up for bats. Furthermore, the overhead electricity lines would be equipped with bird flight diverters to reduce the risk of large birds flying into them. Results The project achieved some relevant results: - the creation of an area with different water levels down to a maximum depth of 1 m, thus favouring amphibians and birds in the locality of Prata (Municipality of Vogogna); - the restoration of river banks and of the artificial embankments to reduce the erosion; - the reduction of the presence of invasive exotic trees and shrubs in termophilous shrub habitats; - the maintenance of suitable habitat for nesting birds in the lowland hay meadows through specific management intervention consisting in mowing; - the creation of new alluvial forests due to plantations of seedlings of Alnus glutinosa, Populus alba, Quercus robur, Salix alba, Populus nigra, Salix fragilis, Salix purpurea, Sambucus nigra, Cornus mas, Rhamnus frangula, Euonymus europaeus; - the conservation of dry grassland due to closure of roads; - the creation of fish refugees. The results of the monitoring survey started in 2003 revealed an increase of some bird species using the restored habitats as nesting, feeding and hunting (raptors) areas as a positive consequence of the interventions, especially in the lowland hay meadows and in the dry scrublands. The major project impacts on the birds can be described as follows: • One or two breeding couples of the woodlark (Lullula arborea) are present from 2003 in the SCI/SPA, while before they were only been seen during migration. • Denser breeding population of the nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) finding food in the mowed grassland affected by the project. • Significant growth of the population of red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) in all the areas where actions have been performed to support that species. • A new couple of short-tailed eagle (Circaetus gallicus)nested and hunted in parts of the SCI/SPA where alloctonous invasive vegetation has been cut. • Creation of more suitable habitats for Lethentheron zanandreai, Salmo marmoratus, Barbo meridionalis, Leuciscus souffia and Cottus gobio. Moreover the Beneficiary had the capacity to involve the four municipalities, where the SCI/SPA is located, in the future management of the site until the end of 2008, and the AIPS (fishermen’s association) in the management of the fish refugees. On the opposite there was a very low level of colonization of the bat box in three years, and the beneficiary demonstrated very scarce capacity of involvement of the stakeholders in the plantation of hedges and of the shepherds in the sheep grazing. Finally, a very good activity campaign to improve public awareness about Natura 2000, SCI/SPA, habitats was carried. The project produced five leaflets, a map of trail paths, a CD-Rom and a website. It also organised 18 public events with visitors and local inhabitants. Finally, a very good activity campaign to improve public awareness about Natura 2000, SCI/SPA, habitats was carried. The project produced five leaflets, a map of paths, a CD-Rom and a website. It also organised 18 public events with visitors and local inhabitants.