Background This project is a natural extension of an earlier LIFE project, ‘Corridors for Cantabrian Brown Bear Conservation’ (LIFE07 NAT/E/000735), which was carried out by FOP between 2009 and 2011. This project created a favourable environment for eliminating risks and raising awareness about the importance of the presence of the brown bear in the inter-population corridor. These efforts will now be complemented by direct intervention in the habitat in the southern part of the corridor. The aim is to contribute to its defragmentation and consolidate favourable habitat passages along the corridor. Objectives The goal of this project is to ensure the long-term viability of the Cantabrian brown bear population by defragmenting the Cantabrian inter-population corridor and consolidating the genetic and demographic interchange between the two sub-populations. Specific objectives of the project are to: Favour the movement and dispersal of the bears between the Cantabrian sub-populations, improving coverage and food availability in the main habitat passages of the inter-population corridor, and eliminating detected gaps; Ensure that both sub-populations are connected through defragmentation work carried out around infrastructure currently in place; Contribute to the demographic and genetic recovery of the eastern Cantabrian sub-population, using individuals dispersing from the western sub-population to foster the recovery; Contribute to the progressive consolidation of the inter-population corridor as an area with a permanent brown bear presence and as a future breeding ground; Increase awareness and knowledge among local stakehlders and professional groups about the importance of connectivity and brown bear conservation. These objectives are in line with those established in the Strategy for the Conservation of the Cantabrian Brown Bear in Spain. Expected results: The main outcome of the project will be a significant improvement in the connectivity of the preferred habitat passages along the southern part of the inter-population corridor. Connectivity will be achieved by eliminating gaps, reducing infrastructure-crossing black spots and improving habitats. The final result will be easier and more effective communication between the two Cantabrian bear sub-populations and a genetic and demographic recovery of the threatened eastern population. The main quantifiable results of the project will include: A network of 212 small woods (66 250 trees), dispersed along the inter-population corridor, bringing about an improvement in the connectivity among the preferred habitat passages on the south side of the corridor; The acquisition by the FOP of 20 ha of abandoned livestock grazing pastures in order to plant connectivity forests; The management, under the territory guardianship regime, of 86 ha of abandoned livestock grazing pastures and public forests; The restoration of 16 ha of habitats of Community interest or singular habitats of importance for the brown bear; The adaption and improvement of six transit areas, where the corridor crosses road or railway infrastructure; Monitoring studies on the outcomes and effects of the conservation measures; Disseminate activities addressed to local stakeholders and the general public (volunteers in schools, visits by people living in the area, three sports events, bulletin in one national magazine, periodic newsletters, 12 videos, a documentary in English and Spanish, posters, website, media relations, etc.).