Background The Baltic countries still harbour relatively large and intact areas of forest and wetland habitats, compared to elsewhere in Central and Western Europe. These areas remain strongholds for bird species, such as the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), of which Latvia holds approximately 25 % of the European population outside Russia, and black stork (Ciconia nigra). At the turn of the millenium, many of these sites suffered from inexistent or inadequate legal protection, and consequently remained vulnerable to changing practices in land use such as forestry. Objectives In order to prepare for the adhesion to the Natura 2000 Network, the Latvian Ministry of the Environment chose two sites for this LIFE-Nature project: Katlesi (12,000 ha) and Zvarde (10,000 ha). Both represented some of the largest non-fragmented areas for e.g. lesser spotted eagle and black stork in Latvia. The sites also harboured one pair each of spotted eagle (Aquila clanga) - a species for which in the European perspective it is even important to protect sites with single pairs. During the period 2001-2004, assessment of nature conservation values would be done at these two sites in order to develop a detailed management plan for each, outlining the actions needed for their protection and management. This information would also be used to substantiate their designation as protected areas under national legislation and eventually under EU legislation. For the first time the State Forest Service would be involved in the management of protected areas in Latvia. The lack of public awareness of the conservation values of the sites was to be addressed through the production of information booklets, short versions of the management plans, a film and a web site. Actions would include the following steps in the management planning: · first assessment of the nature conservation values, including ornithological inventory, · involvement of stakeholders in a dialogue and discussion about the future of the areas, · drafting of zonation and management plans for the areas, · public discussion and negotiation with stakeholders on management plans, · official approval of the management plans. Results This was the first LIFE-Nature project finalised in Latvia. The main outputs were the management plans and regulations prepared for two SPAs/pSCIs in Latvia, conform to the policy applied during the initial phase of LIFE III to accept projects from the candidate countries primarily aimed at these kinds of preparatory measures. · The project was performed largely as foreseen and the preparation of management regulations for the sites was completed, although the official approval was delayed until February 2005. · Information material (booklets, frequently asked questions guide for stakeholders, information panels, video, website) was produced. Thanks to the management plans and regulations prepared by the project, there is now a baseline and reference for the management of two SPAs of importance for the long-term viability of the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina). In addition, the proper management of these sites will benefit the conservation status of the black stork (Ciconia nigra), several species of woodpeckers and other birds listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The two sites are important for the protection of lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) and greater spotted eagle (A. clanga) in a European context: Latvia holds approximately 10-15 % of the European population of A. pomarina (excl. Russia) and the project sites holds 1 % of the Latvian population. For A. clanga, with a total of 75-120 pairs in Europe (excl. Russia), even sites with single pairs are important. Through the field inventories, done in 2002, the high ornithological values of the two project sites were confirmed: for Aquila pomarina at least 9 pairs at Zvarde and at least 10 pairs at Katlesi/Vecumi. In addition one possible breeding site for Aquila clanga was found at Katlesi/Vecumi in 2001. Furthermore, the two sites hosted 8 pairs (5 at Zvarde, 3 at Katlesi/Vecumi) of black stork (Ciconia nigra) in 2002. Other bird species with good populations within the project sites are capercallie (Tetrao urogallus), white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), middle spotted woodpecker (D. media), three-toed woodpecker (Piciodes tridactylus) and red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio). The sites were included in the first Latvian proposal for the Natura 2000 network, submitted in April 2004, and proposed both as SPAs and pSCIs (the proposal was annexed to the final report). The protection of breeding sites for Aquila pomarina was a main justification for this project, but also single pairs of the very closely related and rarer A. clanga were expected to nest in the project sites. One case of breeding was recorded in the Katlesi-Vecumi area in 2001 but it was later found to be a mixed pair of the two species. From experiences in e.g. Estonia and Belarus it appears that hybridisation is a potential problem, primarily for A. clanga, but it is difficult to get an understanding of the mechanisms involved and how to tackle the threat. Hybridisation is not mentioned among the threats listed for A. clanga in the Community Species Action Plan (approved by the Ornis Committee in 1999).