Background Located in southwest Romania, The Natura 2000 site “Danube water course Bazias – Iron Gates” includes a large area of priority habitats for the pygmy cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmeus). It is also an important stopover point for migrating birds. The pygmy cormorant is one of 23 bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive found at the site, which is also home to three amphibian species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Bombina bombina, Bombina variegate and Bufo bufo), a reptile, the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and four fish species (Gymnocephalus schraetzer, Gymnocephalus baloni, Zingel streber and Zingel zingel). The area is threatened by eutrophication, aquatic invasive species, habitat degradation, unsuitable fishing and wetlands pollution. A lack of understanding of the importance of the Natura 2000 network is another difficulty. Objectives The purpose of the project is to provide a long-term favorable conservation status for priority species and their habitats at the site Danube water course Bazias – Iron Gates, by implementing and disseminating state-of- the-art conservation measures. The project will restore river habitats, as the nesting, resting and feeding habitats of bird species. The actions will benefit two Annex I-listed bird species (pygmy cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmeus and ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca) in the Natura 2000 site “Danube water course Bazias – Iron Gates”. The project specifically aims to: Improve the conservation status of the two priority bird species by restoring wintering, nestling and feeding habitats; Improve the conservation status of priority habitats through the demonstrative actions of removing aquatic and riverside invasive species; Implement a modern early warning system for invasive alien species in the Natura 2000 site; and Increase public awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the Natura 2000 site.Expected results: A long-term action plan for halting the loss of biodiversity in the Iron Gates wetlands, which will include a weed harvesting strategy and a strategy for maintaining a minimum water depth. The plan will be approved by the local environmental agency and integrated into the Iron Gates management plan and the Danube river basin management plan; Creation of an up-to-date GIS database in compliance with the INSPIRE Directive that provides support to environmental policies and potential activities that impact on the environment in the areas that can be replicated in other Natura 2000 sites; and Purchase of floating equipment for cutting the excessive water plants from the wetlands, especially invasive ones. The equipment will be used in the site's wetlands for demonstrative purposes and for elimination of invasive weeds (i.e. Eichhornia crassipes, Azolla filiculoides, Nymphoides peltata). In order to use this equipment, four weed harvesters and four mechanics will be trained by experienced operators from elsewhere in the EU.