Background The Vestiena Natura 2000 network site has a rich biodiversity and consists of many habitats of Community importance. The area is also a popular tourism destination and is widely used for recreational activities both in summer and winter. Lack of habitat management, however, has resulted in degradation and loss of natural habitats of high ecological value – in particular, natural and semi-natural grassland formations (6270*, 6530*, 6210, 6430, 6510), forest habitats (9010*, 9180*, 91E0*, 91D0*) and habitats of standing (3150) and running waters (3260). Objectives The project aimed to introduce sustainable management of the habitats of Community importance and recreational resources in the territory of the “Vestiena” Natura 2000 site. In particular, the project aimed to: Develop nature management plans for three protected areas (the nature reserve of “Kala Lake” Islands, Vestiena protected landscape area and nature reserve “Ilzina Lake”) and to draft a site specific regulation. Ensure restoration of priority biotopes and improve management of habitats of Community importance. Implement priority activities defined by a nature protection plan. Reduce the pressures of the recreational activities on the habitats of Community importance and to support sustainable use of recreational recourses. Raise general public awareness about the nature conservation values and protection requirements of the area. Strengthen co-operation among the stakeholders involved in management of the Natura 2000 site. Results The project achieved its main objectives: to develop the nature management plans (NMP) for three protected areas and to draft a site-specific regulation. NMPs were adopted according to the existing legislation. It determined the general pressure limits for 13 types of habitats located in the project area and calculated the impacts on particular locations of habitats. The comprehensive GIS database in Latvia features some specially protected nature sites and includes the following information: topographic maps, land ownership, present land use, zoning of the territory, nature values (i.e. location of habitats and species of Community and national importance) sites with scenic views, areas important for landscape protection, recreational values and tourism infrastructure, pressures on different areas and particularly on habitats of Community importance, and location of management activities. The restoration of priority biotopes is ensured by the project on an area of 52.3 ha and the restoration of remaining 18 ha of grassland formations has been included in an After-LIFE Conservation plan. The activities carried out during the implementation of LIFE project established preconditions for the maintenance of 70 ha of land and these are planned to be continued after the end of the project. Around 600 ha are covered by agri-environmental programmes. The elimination of the invasive species, giant hogweed, has been completed according to the reduced target of 30 ha instead of the initial 245 ha. The project’s activities also established preconditions for the control of 32.65 ha previously invaded with giant hogweed, which will also be continued after the end of the project. All the farmers whose properties are invaded with this alien specie were invited to a special training session, and maintenance of cleaned sites from alien species has been included in the After-Life Conservation plan. In addition, a special volunteer monitoring sub-programme has been developed and introduced to monitor cleaned sites and to identify new ones. In total five nature trails (instead of the planned six) were created with a total length of around 6.3 km including places for recreation – i.e. tables, benches and waste bins were established. Agreements for the maintenance of the trails have been concluded with the local landowners for 10 years. The establishment of the remaining sixth nature trail is included in the After-LIFE conservation plan. The project has produced a number of information and educational materials, including booklets on forest, grassland and freshwater habitat management practices in Vestiena. The project also published short flyer-type leaflets containing practical information on how to eliminate step-to-step hogweed. A project website available in Latvian and English, and 15 seminars were organised on: grassland management and the limitations of pressures and loads on habitats; limitation of alien species; best practice of conservation and management of surface water habitats, and best practice of conservation and management of forest habitats. Finally three TV broadcasts were made on LTV 1 (a national channel) and one on regional TV; four information days were organised, and three round table discussions were held. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).