Background Grecian juniper woods (GJW) contain the Juniperus excelsa and J. foetidissima species that are characterised by extremely low germination rates, and thus have limited capability to germinate naturally. These are light-demanding species that require open canopy habitats and their natural regeneration can be adversely affected by forest densification, shrub invasion, or fire. GJW habitats in the Prespa basin area remain threatened by changing land use patterns. The habitat is a dynamic system and its structure and function alter with the progress of time, following natural ecological succession. In the past, the forces that feed the process of secondary succession, i.e. encroachment of GJW by broadleaved species, were kept under control by traditional land use systems based on livestock grazing. Livestock numbers fell dramatically in GJW habitats (more than 50% from 1964-1993) and wood cutting practices, that previously helped to sustain the habitats, have also declined in recent decades. Abandonment of such land use methods has led to ecological succession and the invasion of broadleaved species in the GJW. Another threat to GJW is the lack of public awareness regarding the uniqueness of the habitat. This knowledge deficit amongst local people and visitors generates several problems (e.g. littering and illegal logging) that place the conservation status of the habitat in danger. Objectives The LIFE JunEx project aims to restore and conserve the GJW habitat in Prespa National Park. It will achieve its objectives through five inter-related sets of project actions involving: Conservation of areas where the structure and function of the habitat type are found in good condition in terms of forest structure, typical species, natural regeneration, etc.); Restoration of areas where the structure of the habitat type is not found in good condition (decreasing trends in the number of typical species, no regeneration, etc.); Rehabilitating the health of the GJW (by improving regeneration, cleaning actions, etc.); Decreasing threats and risks for the habitat type such as ecological vegetation succession, illegal wood cutting, wild fires; and Raising scientific and public awareness concerning GJW. Expected results: Outcomes envisaged from the project include: The strengthening of the GJW structure by removing invading broadleaved shrubs and trees. Typical habitat plant species (some of which are important in local, European and global level, such as the Madonna lily - Lilium candidum) are expected to expand in an area larger than 50 ha; Improving the functionality of GJW by increasing floristic diversity in an area larger than 50 ha, and establishing favourable conditions for fauna (e.g. facilitating movements of brown bear (Ursus arctus) by retaining fruit-bearing trees); Increasing natural regeneration of junipers in an area of more than 50 ha; Enriching natural regeneration of junipers in an area of more than 0.5 ha; Reducing wildfire risk by removing dead organic material, garbage and forest openings in an area of more than 50 ha; and Promoting the habitat’s importance and increasing public and scientific awareness.