Background Aster sorrentini is a small plant belonging to the daisy family, endemic to Sicily, where it is found at only eight sites. It is listed as a priority species for conservation under the Habitats Directive. One of the most important sites where it is found is the “Macalube di Aragona” SCI (Site of Community Importance) 15 km north of Agrigento, in south-western Sicily. The area is characterised by a rare geological phenomenon, sedimentary volcanism, and by several rare or endangered habitats, listed in the Habitats Directive, including Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi), Halo-nithrophilous scrubs (Pegano Salsoletea), Mediterranean temporary ponds and pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-brachypodietea. Over the past decades, the site has been affected by forest fires and human activities, in particular farming and livestock breeding, which have led to land erosion and habitat fragmentation and reduced by 20% the surface of the steppic habitats. As well as EU protection, the site is also partially protected by a regional reserve, managed by the Agrigento provincial administration, the LIFE project beneficiary. Objectives The project aimed to halt degradation and to conserve and restore the rare habitats and the population of Aster sorrentini found within the core area of the natural reserve. The overall objective would be met by the purchase of plots of land (totalling 67.5 hectares) and the establishment of a nursery for Aster sorrentini and other local plant species to be used in the habitat restoration work. Fences would be erected to protect specimens of Aster sorrentini as well as other endemic plant species (e.g. Allium agrigentinum, Puccinellia gussonei, Salsola agrigentina and Scabiosa dichotoma) and the target habitats from livestock grazing. Firebreaks would be constructed around the fenced areas. An important aspect of the project would be the involvement of local stakeholders - farmers and livestock breeders. They would be encouraged to participate in an introductory course on sustainable land management practices within the site and in the surrounding area, and to be directly involved in the management of the site. Six new jobs would be created for the management of the site and of the project. An awareness raising campaign would also be launched with the planned production of educational material and tools (paths, signs, visitor’s centre, booklets, etc.). The aim was to develop the site as a tourist and educational destination. Results The project's overall and ancillary objectives were met. As planned, plots of land totalling 67 ha were acquired. The project actions focused on the natural rehabilitation of the core area of the reserve – over a total area of 92 ha – that until recently had been subject to uncontrolled agricultural practices. The project successfully combined the expert knowledge of staff of the University of Palermo with the skills of project partner Legambiente (responsible for the management of the reserve) and involved local farmers in the conservation of the area. After initial disappointing results from the first Aster sorrentinii plantation trials, the transplantation proved very successful. The reintroduction of the rare or endangered species succeeded in increasing the populations of the targeted species, and natural dissemination and growing was already observed during the project’s final year. One of the ancillary benefits of the project was the elaboration of new propagation protocols for non-commercial species, thanks to the collaboration between the University of Palermo and a local nursery. The project also helped the farmers and former landowners to establish a co-operative, which then became actively involved in the project actions. This gave an added social dimension to the project, in addition to a technical and scientific dimension. The project partnership also contributed also to the drawing up of a management plan for the SCI, which was approved by the Sicilian region after the end of the project. The project carried out the planned dissemination activities and also produced excellent scientific documents, testifying the success of the nature restoration actions. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).