Background The Upper Hotzenwald is a mountainous area of the Black Forest, which contains an exceptional variety of habitats, amongst which 21 are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive and several rare plants and animals. Large areas have thus been included in the Natura 2000 network and it has an outstanding significance for the European network of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The project area covers 2 105 ha at an altitude of between 900 and 1 000 m in the district of Waldshut in the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is more than 50% mixed forests and around 20% is a mosaic of pastures, fens, meadows, streams and standing water bodies. This mosaic is the result of centuries of juxtaposition of large areas of natural or near-natural habitats and extensive rural land-use. A inventory study just prior to this project underlined the significance of the project area as a major biodiversity hotspot, including the habitat types: species-rich ‘Nardus grasslands’; ‘bogs’ and ‘bog woodland’; ‘mountain hay meadows’; and ‘alluvial forests with alder, ash and willow’. However, it also highlighted a number of negative trends in the conservation status and development of the landscape, notably through draining, afforestation, reforestation, land-use changes, fertilisers and larger grazing animals. Objectives The project aimed to improve the conservation status of existing priority habitats, to expand their geographical coverage and to interconnect them into a coherent biotope-network. The project sought to intensify the close cooperation between authorities, local farmers and forest owners, which was initiated during the previous conception of nature conservation plans for the Upper Hotzenwald. Special efforts would be made to involve the local population in the primary landscape management, to establish a forum for discussion and exchange of experiences as well as to offer educational activities with a focus on NATURA 2000. Concrete actions foreseen included: forestry works on private and communal lands; clearing of conifers and overgrowth from species-rich grasslands and dry heaths; re-instatement of extensive grazing; and removal of drainage systems. Through improving the mosaic of habitats, the project hoped to benefit populations of the capercaillie or wood grouse (Tetrao urogallus) and hazel grouse (Bonasia bonasia). Additionally, the project hoped to make a contribution to climate protection by enhancing the area’s fens and bogs to act as carbon sinks and promote the development of sustainable eco-tourism to the area. Results The Oberer Hotzenwald project succeeded in bringing different stakeholders together to implement long-lasting ecological improvements in the region. It improved the mosaic of important habitats in the area through non-recurrent actions and initiated the implementation of conservation-friendly forest management schemes and long-term co-operation between foresters and nature conservation. A mapping of habitats and species was carried out over the project area and a draft management plan elaborated. The project identified 483 ‘habitat trees’ to be maintained in the area for birds, prioritising strong, old trees of historical interest, but also providing a mix of species and growth habitats, including nesting holes and dead wood. Peat analysis and hydrology assessments identified the quality of raised bogs, mires and fens and assessed the likely success of rewetting efforts by blocking ditches. Non-recurring management actions implemented include: Clearing and thinning of trees and shrubs from 43.8 ha to extend and connect areas of species-rich Nardus grassland; Improvement of 63 ha of forest habitat through removal of spruces, promotion of berry wood species and creation of stepped forest borders; Restoration of seven bogs over more than 20 ha through the closure of many drainage ditches and the cutting of spruce vegetation; Removal of spruce along 8.4 km of riverbanks to favour the development of alluvial forests with alders and ashes; Restoration of calcareous fens and mountain hay meadows on 17 ha by removal of spruce, succession wood and brushwood, with follow-up clearance measures.The recurring management of the cleared sites was mainly done by grazing. Here, the common local cattle "Vorderwälder" was favoured, although new grazing schemes with goats (0.5 ha),Galloways (6.5 ha) and a special sheep breed (Moorschnucken) were tested. Around ten km of fencing were erected to define areas of pasture. The engagement of local stakeholders is paramount to the long-term success of such a project. These were engaged in the development of project (and subsequent) action plans and local farmers received money from agri-environmental funds for extensive grassland management. Local volunteers were a key part of the project’s achievements and a Natura 2 000 classroom scheme proved successful. Hydrology monitoring of the bogs continues beyond the project and action plans are transforming more spruce plantations into natural forest to benefit the capercaillie. The 20 nature guides trained by the project continue to engage the public and the improved ecology of the area is seen in the benefits to typical mosses, meadow plants and birds in the relevant areas. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).