Background The lesser white-fronted goose (Anser erythropus) is an Annex I species of the Birds Directive, classified as ‘vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List. The global population trend for the species has shown rapid decline (30-49%) during the period 1998-2008, accompanied by breeding range fragmentation. The wild population of the goose in the Fennoscandian geographical area - covering parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia - was estimated in 2004 at only 20-30 breeding pairs or respectively 60-80 individuals. The most significant threat to the species has been identified by the United Nations Environment Programme African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (UNEP/AEWA) as being hunting along the European flyway (Single Species Action Plan, 2008). This project therefore addresses the whole European flyway of the bird, stretching from the breeding grounds in the northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden, via the staging areas in Finnmark (northern Norway), the western coast of Finland, western Estonia and eastern Hungary, to its wintering grounds on the Greek and Turkish border. The need for this flyway approach requires the involvement of eight partners from four European countries, including national authorities, NGOs, a research institution, a National Park Authority and the secretariat of the UNEP/AEWA. It builds on a previous LIFE project targeting the same species (LIFE05 NAT/FIN/000105). Objectives The aim of the project is to implement urgent concrete conservation actions in wintering and staging grounds of the Fennoscandian population of the lesser white-fronted goose. It will undertake concrete actions in seven NATURA 2000 sites - three in Greece, three in Bulgaria and one in Hungary. It seeks thus to halt its current alarming population decline. The project will establish a network of experts and trained observers for the provision of up-to-date, reliable and comprehensive information about the goose’s movements and other relevant data. The project will introduce a Smart Patrol System (SPS) for monitoring the bird. Public authority staff will be informed about the benefits of the SPS and trained in its use and operation. Monitoring actions should increase knowledge of the species, its numbers, and its staging and wintering sites, including the discovery of new ones. The project expects to carry out actions to provide suitable foraging and roosting habitats for the species in key sites, taking into account the new information provided by the monitoring actions. The project will seek to maximise international co-operation and networking of relevant bodies for the conservation of the species, including the creation of complementary species action plans in Bulgaria, Hungary and Greece. Awareness campaigns on the detrimental effects of illegal hunting for the small Fennoscandian population of the goose will be raised through targeting both the general public and specialised target groups, such as hunters and wardens in the relevant areas. Expected results: Successful introduction, testing and evaluation of a smart patrol system to monitor the lesser white-fronted goose; Improved conservation status and reduced mortality and disturbance of the target species; Three officially-endorsed national action plans for the conservation of the target species - in Bulgaria, Hungary and Greece; and Implementation of the recommendations of the International Single Species Action Plan (AEWA 2008).