Background Located in the Western Carpathians, the Slovenský Raj National Park (Slovak Paradise National Park) is highly valued for its rich diversity of species and habitats. Much of the Park area (89%) is covered by forests, comprising mainly coniferous trees dominated by spruce, fir and, on karstic outcrops, pine and Polish larch. Beech occurs in the central part of the Park. Durmast oak occurs in the warmest and lowest locations. The flora has a distinctive Carpathian character and many Carpathian endemics occur here. A management plan was urgently required for the National Park to help decision makers balance the needs of different stakeholders within a sustainable development framework. Key challenges included managing visitor pressure and woodland conservation issues, such as tackling bark beetle infestation. Opportunities were also foreseen to involve farmers in the management of the Park’s important semi-natural grassland habitats. Objectives The LIFE project was established to develop and implement an effective management plan for the National Park that united all relevant stakeholders within a coordinated partnership. Core objectives focused on habitat restoration and species conservation within the Park’s Natura 2000 area. Visitor measures and publicity campaigns were also planned as well as capacity building work with local land managers to increase awareness about agri-environment support for nature conservation activities. Results The project succeeded in its objective to conserve and restore habitat diversity within the Slovenský Raj National Park. This work was achieved within the framework of the new management plan for the pSCI Slovensky Raj, which enjoyed strong collaborative support from relevant stakeholders. Involvement of the project partners is considered a crucial outcome and this result is expected to help secure positive long term conservation benefits for the Park’s habitats and species. Other long term gains will be possible through application of the new tools developed during the LIFE project. These included tools for helping harmonise tourist development, forest and agricultural management and nature protection within the National Park. Specific outcomes from the LIFE project featured the following results: Preparation of the Management Plan for Slovenský Raj pSCI. This sets out a combination of management measures and land use controls inside the protected area. It designates different levels of protection for different areas and includes a sustainable tourism development strategy for the Park area. Official approval of the Management Plan is anticipated by the Slovak government in November 2010, and the Ministry of Environment is providing guarantees to implement the plan. Reconstruction of tourist trails at more than 60 localities in the most visited areas where trails pass valuable biotopes and rocky terrain. Restoring 138 ha of valuable species-rich grassland meadows via tree and shrub clearance. These sites have also been prepared for further grassland management actions. Forest conservation work including tackling bark beetle strikes over approximately 1 137 m3 by identifying infected trees, cutting branches and removing bark. Pheromone traps were also successfully installed and maintained during the project. In 2007 these caught some 3.8 million adult bark beetle individuals. Forest diversity was improved on over 245 ha by introducing a more natural canopy and species structure. Improved water regimes at the Park’s two fen localities prevented further degradation of these sensitive biotopes. A ‘Guide to Nature Friendly Forest Management in Slovenský Raj’ was prepared and published. Visitor information facilities and trails were created at the Dobšinská Ice Cave area, Hnilec Wetlands, and Hornád Canyon. Tourist targeted publications were produced (in three languages: Slovak, English and Polish) about the Park’s Biotopes of European Importance, the Hornád Canyon and Suchá Belá Gorge. A touring exhibition titled ‘NATURA 2000 in Slovenský Raj’ was successfully displayed in 14 municipalities around the region with the aim to increase public awareness about the NATURA 2000 network and the Slovenský Raj National Park. A voluntary ranger service was organised in the summer by the Scouting Slovakia members. The rangers provided beneficial visitor management functions. Technical equipment was also purchased for the new Information Centre at Podlesok. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).