Background Dry grasslands are among the most species-rich habitats in Europe. They are home to a multitude of rare and endangered species, including many orchids, birds, and butterflies. Unfortunately they are also one of the most endangered habitat types. In the last few decades, they have been pushed back to isolated residual areas as a result of considerable pressures from visitors and changes in land use, notably through changing agricultural practices. There is a unique set of dry grasslands have in the Saarland, along the border with France. The particular microclimate, with Muschelkalk limestone facing southern slopes fosters up to 15 different orchid species on a single site. The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia), the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) and the wood lark (Lullula arborea) are also to be found here. The second project sub-site, Heiligenhafen in Schleswig-Holstein (on the Baltic Coast), is one of the most northerly sites suitable for semi-dry calcareous grassland in Germany. However, there are now only fragments of these communities left in this area. These have been pushed back to narrow limestone clifftops by the spread of arable farming. A radical change of land use would be required if these last remnants are to be saved. Objectives This LIFE project sought to restore and protect a number of dry grassland areas in the Saar Region of Germany (along the French border) and one site on the Baltic coast of Schleswig-Holstein. The project aimed to buy some areas of dry grassland for conservation and restoration purposes. It also sought to develop a sustainable management and to improve the conservation status of some other areas of grassland that would not be bought. The project planned to use methods such as clearance of shrubs, grazing and droving pasturage systems to restore and conserve key areas of grassland. It also sought to draw attention to the supra-regional importance of dry grasslands and to the fact that this semi-natural habitat is in danger all over Europe. Intensive public relations work via information boards, brochures and controlled visits to the sites were also foreseen. Results The LIFE-project ‘Trockenrasen Saar’ succeeded in restoring and conserving over 100 ha of dry grasslands on chalky soil habitats at 14 sites in Germany. Thanks to an intensive cooperation with local stakeholders - including local farmers and subcontractors - the project conserved thirteen sites in the Saar Region and bought a dry grassland site in Schleswig Holstein for preservation. These efforts led to a substantial increase of orchid species and populations at all sites. For example, not long after clearance measures had been carried out, five new orchid species appeared at the Hammelsberg site; the butterfly Euphydryas aurinia and the bird species Lululla arborea were discovered on another site. The project purchased important dry grassland sites suffering from degradation as a result of human activity. In those areas to be conserved (over 100ha), trees and shrubs were removed, pastures were created (20 ha) and thousands of metres of hedges were cut. The wood chaff was left on the ground for a year to prevent weed growth. For their on-going management, one-third of each site was mowed each year with the cut vegetation being removed to prevent nitrogen enrichment of the soil. The beneficiary was exploring the idea of using the material to produce bio-gas for energy production. It also innovated with the use of special machines for mowing, including: hydraulic scissors fixed to an excavator with caterpillar treads for mowing in hillside locations; a ten-tonne machine, which can cut through shrubbery in one go but has a wheel pressure of only 300 gramme/cm²; and a mower constructed like a go-cart to cut under fruit trees. As a key part of the sustainability of the project, the team developed management plans for each of the 14 project sub-sites. These were drafted after initial status surveys and vegetation mapping. The project contributed to a change in the law in the Saar Region to allow agri-environmental schemes in nature reserves. To sustain these achievements, the project carried out a series of dissemination and awareness raising activities, including site visits and a workshop. It developed and used information folders, panels and a website.