Background Alvar grasslands are semi-natural grasslands with thin lime-rich soil on limestone bedrock. One third of all the alvar grasslands in Europe are found in Estonia. However, currently less than 30% of these are being managed annually (i.e. by animal grazing), which is necessary for the long-term survival of this habitat type. Unmanaged sites have become heavily overgrown with shrubs (mostly juniper, Juniperus communis) and trees (mostly Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris). In order to maintain the ecological connectivity and biodiversity of the country’s alvar grasslands, a minimum of 7 500 hectares needs to be subject to annual grazing. This is a target of the Estonian Nature Conservation Development Plan that will run until 2020. Objectives The project’s main objective is to restore the most valuable, but currently overgrown, alvar areas on 2 500 ha of land and to create the right conditions for local farmers to manage these areas after the restoration. In order to achieve this aim, the project plans to introduce effective large-scale restoration methods and to create the necessary infrastructure for continuous management of the restored sites. The project also aims to directly involve private land owners and to raise awareness among the local community and the general public on the value of alvar areas and of the importance of managing them effectively. Expected results: The restoration of 2 500 ha of alvar meadows, ensuring that the tree and shrub coverage of the restored areas is no more than 40%; The signing of at least 300 long-term contracts with farmers or local agricultural companies to graze their cattle/sheep in the area annually, ensuring their continuous management; The local communities and the general public will be better informed about the value of the targeted habitat type, thanks to the project’s awareness-raising actions; and At least 40 farmers or agricultural companies trained in the management work required for the project areas.