Background The natural environment and biodiversity on Skyros are some of the best preserved in the region. The landscape is characterised by steep slopes, wet meadows, and seasonal wetlands, scrublands and pasturelands of high quality. The island includes many endemic plants, passerines, birds of prey, migratory water-foul, bats, terrapins, and endemic species of lizard and pony. Traditional extensive farming methods had previously helped maintained the island habitats but changes in farming practices have started to have a negative impact on the environment. Tourism pressures have also exerted stress on the island’s green infrastructure, particularly in terms of coastal habitats threatening seabird colonies and rare, endemic chasmophytic plants. Sustainability of the island’s biodiversity will benefit from reorienting land use models to more sensitive approaches that respect environmental and landscape resources. Win-win benefits can be gained in this way from positive nature conservation actions that help support the island’s economy as an eco-tourism location. Objectives The objective of this LIFE+ Biodiversity project is to establish integrated planning methods and management capable of enhancing biodiversity whilst remaining compatible with sustainable economic and social development. The actions will be based on the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan focusing on important habitats and species. Public awareness will be raised to secure support for the conservation actions that aim to: revitalise the island’s traditional land use model; restore wetlands and create an appropriate wetland network; develop action plans for important local and/or endemic plant species; and restore adjacent islet biodiversity. The project also aims to demonstrate the compatibility of tourism and biodiversity conservation. Expected results: Formulation and acceptance of an effective and comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan; Demonstration of environmentally-friendly pastureland management on 320 ha of leased rangelands; Cultivation of 20 ha of abandoned land with fodder crops and fava beans; Construction of livestock watering places and wildlife ponds; Re-creation of at least 1 ha of wetland habitat; Management of 10 ha of wet meadow habitat through controlled grazing of the endemic Skyrian pony and local livestock; Rat eradication on up to three islets; Gull control actions on at least one islet; Introduction of conservation plots and propagation for rare and endemic plants; Formation of a stable local group of 10 conservation volunteers who will implement conservation actions and carry out monitoring and management measures; Wide dissemination of the project approach is expected to improve public awareness about the value of Skyrian biodiversity and the adaptation of environmentally-friendly attitudes and practices.