Background The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a species listed in Annex 1 of the Birds Directive. The 18 Natura 2000 network sites covered by this project are important white stork sanctuaries (accounting for 4% of the total national population). The sites are characterised by extremely high density populations, high stability of numbers and good conservation conditions. However, public acceptance of large stork nests on chimneys and roofs is declining, which, together with other socio-economic changes, could have a negative impact on the white stork population in Poland. Objectives The LIFEciconiaPL project aims to maintain the good conservation status of the white stork in the river valleys of eastern Poland, where the population of the species is some 1 600 breeding pairs. Specific project actions will focus on the following: Protecting some 400 nesting sites; Increasing public tolerance of stork nests on buildings; Reducing white stork deaths caused by power lines; Improving the effectiveness of two white stork rehabilitation centres; and Halting the loss of biodiversity by protecting this umbrella species. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: Secure 400 white stork nesting sites under threat from conflicts with people; Reduce white stork mortality by making 110 transformer stations, 80 disconnector stations, 80 electricity pylons and four sections of 110 kV voltage lines crossing river valleys safe; Renovate two rehabilitation centres so that they can provide basic care and treatment for ill and injured white storks; Create a geographic information system (GIS) database mapping white stork nests in the project area; Increase awareness of and tolerance towards white storks through training, education and communication activities, the latter including a ‘nest cam‘ broadcasting on the project website; and Long-term monitoring of changes of breeding population of the white stork in the seven largest valleys of eastern Poland.