Background The LIFE project area covers the proposed Natura 2000 site “Area delle Gravine”, meaning literally “ravine area”, which is a 15,000 hectare complex of deep calcareous gorges and plains hosting the priority listed habitat “pseudo-steppes with Thero-Brachypodietea grasses and annuals”, characterised by rare, endemic plant species. A large number of farmers and other rural residents live in the project area which has experienced habitat losses of up 20 000 hectares in the last twenty years, mainly attributed to over-grazing and limestone quarrying. More recently, the growth of tourism and infrastructure has also increased pressures on the high value environment. Municipal conservation guidelines for the Area delle Gravine were produced as part of a previous LIFE-Nature project, “NATURA 2000 network in Italy: management models” (1999/IT/627). Objectives The primary objective of this LIFE project was the restoration of the Thero-Brachypodietea grasslands, over an area of 200 hectares owned by the Municipality, via a programme of cutting, mowing and indigenous species planting. An adjoining 25 hectares of the same habitat were also to be purchased in order to guarantee habitat continuity, which was further enhanced by restoration of natural habitats at three disused limestone quarries. Other planned activities included: removing five illegal waste dumps within the site; producing information panels on a new nature trail network; creating a seed bank to help ensure the conservation of genetic biodiversity; and establishing a small plant nursery for educational purposes. An awareness raising campaign was also proposed for local people and administrators, together with educational activities for the area’s school children. Results The project has achieved almost all of its intended objectives and has made important contributions to restoring the priority habitat pseudo-steppes with Thero-Brachypodietea grasses and annuals. Herbaceous, shrubby and arboreal species were introduced within a carefully controlled planting regime over sub-divided intervention areas. A management strategy was prepared for each of the species planted in the intervention areas. These included Stipa austroitalica and Quercus ilex L. Small groups of Mediterranean bush were also used to improve the habitat’s conservation status. Positive conservation results have been attained in the Gravine’s fragile environment by transplanting or sowing these local species and reducing illegal dumping on the site’s borders. Improvements to the area’s network of nature trails and the implementation of a successful information and awareness-raising programme have all also attributed to the project’s achievements, which can be summarised as: direct sowing or transplantation of indigenous species over an area of ca. 100 ha; signing a conservation agreement, including a sustainable grazing plan, with a private landowner, covering an area of ca. 30 ha; establishing the seed bank which contains over 100 local species; creating the didactic nursery, covering 3 000 sqm within the Gravine, where local species are reproduced; restoring three abandoned stone quarries, using natural engineering techniques; cleaning and closing five illegal dumping sites around the Gravina; opening a 12 km nature trail network in the area, including interpretation panels on the priority habitat features and LIFE project actions; and managing access to sensitive areas by closing 1.5 km of public road, strengthening walls and installing fencing. Community participation has played an important role in securing the desired results and efforts to involve local schools are expected to generate long term benefits through the Biodiversity Laboratory that was established during the project. Sustainability of the project results will also be assisted by the project area’s inclusion in the Regional Reserve "Terra delle Gravine", which should further guarantee the success and continuation of the conservation actions carried out by the beneficiary. The main challenge experienced by project involved establishing a cooperation network with other institutions managing similar habitats.