Background Rows of trees growing alongside roads and among fields have been a hallmark of traditional European rural landscapes for centuries. They have contributed to the biodiversity of cultural landscapes, serving as habitats and green infrastructure. In the last fifty-plus years, however, the development of transportation infrastructure and land consolidation has led to a dramatic decline of trees in Europe’s rural landscapes. This results in a loss of biodiversity, including loss of EU priority species, and loss of cultural values. Reversing the decline of roadside trees in rural areas can be done through ensuring that decision-makers, local communities and the general public are aware of their importance. Another necessary task is to improve the tree planting and tree maintenance skills of road authorities. Such actions can thus contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity in rural landscapes and to enhance the protection of EU priority species. The proposed project is a continuation of a pilot project 'Roads for Nature', which has been carried out in some Polish regions since 2008. Thanks to LIFE+ support the project will now be able to cover the whole territory of Poland. Objectives The main objective of the project is to preserve and restore tree avenues, which play an important role as habitats and components of traditional European landscape. In particular, the project aims: To prepare and implement local campaigns leading to the restoration of trees in rural landscapes and to reverse the trend of tree removal in 66 selected municipalities. The campaign will include training sessions, study visits to Germany (Mecklenburg-Pomerania) and the production of a guidebook on good practices in tree resources management; To create positive attitudes among public administration officials and the general public towards open landscape trees and roadside trees; and To mobilise citizens to become actively engaged in biodiversity conservation through tree protection and planting. Expected results: An end to the net loss of trees in rural landscapes in selected municipalities; Increased appreciation of roadside and farmland trees among the general public; Increased involvement of citizens in actions supporting biodiversity related to roadside trees; Development of local tree protection strategies in 66 municipalities, in each of 16 Polish voivodships (regions); Some 700 civil servants, mayors and schoolteachers will take part in training sessions and study visits highlighting the importance of trees; Production of a guidebook on good practices in tree resources management; Some 100 000 people (1 500 per participating municipality) will be involved in the project's activities or exposed to its results; More than 9 000 trees will be planted along roads and in open landscapes; Production and distribution of an educational film on roadside trees conservation; Some 1 300 people will be trained in tree valuation and proper maintenance; 75 people will attend a study visit to become acquainted with tree planting and tree maintenance practices in Mecklenburg-Pomerania; A total of 600 people will participate in 20 regional seminars; A total of 240 people will participate in three national and international conferences; A nationwide audience (some 1 million people) will be provided with information on protecting roadside trees through various media; and Some 40 project co-workers will improve their skills in tree conservation and conducting educational campaigns.