Background The project concerns two Natura 2000 network sites near the city of Brasov in central Romania. The first is a complex reserve containing a forest and a marsh ecosystem with rare fauna and flora. The other is a marsh area that also hosts a number of well preserved rare species. Some, such as the marsh fritillary butterfly, endemic plants and red-listed carnivorous plants appear in both. The sites are under threat from numerous directions. They have suffered through grazing by various types of animals and trampling during their passage through the forest and marsh; from an excessive development of invasive species; from attacks by various insects; and from diseases that affect the vegetation. They have also been adversely affected by modifications to the natural hydrological regime of the area - land has been drained and water catchments created for various purposes; by habitat and property fragmentation; and by a lack of defined boundaries on the ground. Objectives The 'FOR-MARSH' project aims to improve the conservation status of three priority Annex I habitats at two sites in central Romania - “the Forest and Eutrophic Marshes of Prejmer” and “Dealul Cetatii Lempes - Harman Marshes”. It will seek to buy land, make necessary compensation payments, map water and soil in target areas and introduce best-practice restoration techniques for: alluvial forests with alnus glutinosa and fraxinus excelsior; calcareous fens in the Prejmer and Harman swamps; and Eurosiberian silvo-steppe with Quercus sp. Habitat. It will also target preservation of three target Annex II Habitats Directive plant species: liparis loeselli, ligularia sibirica and adenophora lilifolia. Numerous targeted conservation or restoration measures are foreseen across the project sites, including improving forest, eliminating invasive species and unsilting streams. The project aims to reduce the adverse impact of human activities by a series of actions - meetings with mayors and farmers; creating a team of rangers; preventing open fires, protecting areas with natural fences and marking SCI boundaries. Work will be carried out to mark site boundaries in certain areas. A geographical information system (GIS) will be set up and a public information campaign carried out to promote the SCIs and their socio-economic benefits. Expected results: Purchase of 8 ha of land in the 91EO* habitat; 20 ha of marsh in 7210*; and 1 ha of 91IO* habitat; Transfer of property rights for 3 ha of marsh habitat 7210; 727 ha at two Natura 2000 sites will be marked out with boundary stones; Two marshes covering 5.42 ha will be protected by a vegetation fence; 8.24 ha of Alnus forest will be restored to natural re-generation capacity; 3.4 ha of Quercus forest on Lempes Hill will be helped to regenerate naturally; Invasive species will be eliminated from 3.5 ha of marsh; Seven streams in Prejmer and two in Harman will be unsilted; Hydro-pedologic maps of targeted areas will be created and a GIS established; A team of rangers will be set up to limit detrimental human impact; Some 500 people will be informed through public sessions and materials - 600 brochures, 500 stickers, 200 posters, press releases and 12 information panels; and There will be an improvement in the attitude of local stakeholders towards conservation in the two protected areas.