Background The scattered wetlands still remaining in the plain surrounding Florence, Prato and Pistoia between the Arno and Ombrone Pistoiese rivers represent what is left of the original natural ecosystem of this area. This important habitat has suffered from human activities and lack of protection. Nowadays, the plain is the most densely populated area in Tuscany with more than 1 000 inhabitants per square kilometre. Human activities such as hunting, intensive farming and the expansion of buildings, industries and urban infrastructure - particularly roads - have both damaged and segregated the wetlands. A key issue has been poor water-level management and the lack of protection status afforded to the wetlands, particularly in the western portion of the project area. The cumulative effect of these factors has been pronounced seasonal water lows and loss of ponds. There has been a significant negative impact on the conservation of these fragile ecosystems and their vulnerable species in the area. Objectives The project aims primarily to improve the conservation status of key species of Community interest that are inadequately represented or exposed to risks in the high Appennines area and in the plain surrounding Prato. The project aims to reduce the above-cited threats by securing and increasing the wetland surfaces and expanding the Special Protection Area (SPA) to cover more wetland. It also seeks to mitigate the impact of urban infrastructure on bird species and endorse a Natura 2000 site management plan to regulate activities not compatible with conservation of the ecosystem. These activities are designed to specifically improve the conservation status of: bird species covered by the Birds Directive (Annex I and regularly occurring migratory species); one amphibian species: Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) - named in Annex II of the Habitats Directive; one invertebrate priority species: white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius italicus of the Austropotamobius pallipes species complex); and one fish species: European bullhead (Cottus gobio) included in Annex II of the Habitats Directive.