Background The violet of Rouen (Viola hispida) and Biscutella neustriaca are two endangered and endemic plant species of the calcereous grasslands Seine valley in Haute-Normandie. Their distribution is restricted to just two Natura 2000 sites and the populations are threatened by extinction. The main threats are the regression of their habitats, the very small size of their locations, the low number of individuals, and the distance between the individual locations. This project follows up a series of studies and actions initiated in a previous LIFE project carried out by the same beneficiary, ‘Priority species, chalk grasslands and screen in the lower Seine valley catchment area’ (LIFE99 NAT/F/006332). Objectives The main objective of the project was to ensure the long-term preservation of Viola hispida and Biscutella neustriaca in their natural environment (scree and scorched chalk grassland respectively). This aim would be achieved by restoring and managing their current habitat locations, as well as establishing new locations by restoring potential sites. Restoration work would entail clearing and grazing some 37 ha of grassland for Biscutella neustriaca. For Viola hispida, the restoration would include carefully removing by hand vegetation to make the scree mobile, scorching the remaining vegetation, and removing the larger stones to leave only fine scree. Where necessary, individuals would be introduced to reinforce sparse populations, or to constitute new populations. Isolated locations would be connected by clearing and grazing 16 ha of ‘ecologic corridors’. Results The project ‘Violette et Biscutelle - Rescue of Viola hispida and Biscutella neustriaca on the Seine Valley’ achieved its objective of safeguarding the two target flower species. To meet this goal, the project established ecological corridors and set up an after-Life conservation plan to ensure its financial sustainability. Most of the threats identified by the beneficiary and its partners can be combatted by recurring management practices, such as grazing, slashing, weeding and brightening. In order to restore habitats for the target species, the project sought to acquire land or to establish a management agreement with the owner. At the end of the project, 27.2 hectares were being managed including the 3.3 hectares, which were acquired. (This figure exceeds the target of 20 ha.) Such restoration work – together with the introductions of individuals – led to the fourfold increase in the overall population of Viola hispida between 2007 and 2012 (from 1136 to 4323 individuals). During the same period, the population of Biscutella neustrica almost doubled, from around 2 900 in 2008 to around 4 800. Moreover, there are now 11 viable sites (i.e. areas with more than 50 individuals) for Biscutella, exceeding the target set at the beginning of the project. For Viola hispida, just six sites at the end of the project were considered viable (more than 100 individuals). However, the last introductions/reinforcements carried out under the project took place in autumn 2011 and autumn 2012, and the results were still to be seen at project end. To ensure the success of the reintroductions, genetic and ecological studies were carried out upstream in the valley. The collaboration of the project partners – a research centre and two resource management centres – resulted in the creation of a reinforcement protocol for both target species and improved knowledge of Biscutella neustriaca, such as its genetic diversity, local adaptation and reproduction pattern. The partners will continue to cooperate on the management of the sites. In order to communicate to the general public the results of the project, a booklet and an ecological brochure were published. The project also installed several information panels on the site. In addition, several dozen articles on the conservation work were published in newspapers and journals, and two video and audio reports were produced. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).