Background The area of the Kis- and Nagy-Szénás hills, just a stone’s throw away from the Hungarian capital of Budapest, has due to the diversity of its vegetation attracted the attention of botanists since the middle of the 19th century. The steep and dry dolomite slopes are difficult for forests to invade, and they provide favourable conditions for the development of species-rich grassland habitats and for the survival of endemic and relict species (i.e. species that were once abundant in a large area, but now occur at only one or a few small areas) within their highly diverse relief structure. Smaller outcrops of Hárshegy sandstone, loess (silty soil) covering the foothills and shifting sands enrich the geological landscape. Moreover, the geographical situation between the closed forests of the nearby mountains and the great plains of the forested steppe and its historical function as a major post-glacial migration corridor, make this relatively small area home to a stunning number of plant communities. This includes sub-continental steppic grassland, Pannonic woods with downy oaks and Pannonic woods with sessile oak and hornbeam - listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Important plant (2) and invertebrate (11) species listed in the Annexes of the Directive are also found. However, deforestation, exotic tree plantation and grazing have affected the site in the past, while the overstocked game population and the expansion of residential areas continue to threat the rich botanical diversity of the Szénás hills. Objectives The project aimed to restore to their natural condition areas of Pannonic oak woodlands and dry grasslands found in the Szénás hills, and to assure their favourable protection status in the long-term. To achieve these goals, the following measures would be carried out: Opening up of Austrian pine stands to encourage the gradual regeneration of the forest vegetation. Reduction of game populations, including fallow deer and the introduced mouflon sheep (Ovis ammon musimon) by fencing an enclosure, and by trapping/culling within this area. Informing the public about the goals of the project. Training an environmental teacher to involve local schools in some of the habitat restoration activities. Employing a forest technician as a full-time ranger. Monitoring activities to assess the effectiveness of habitat restoration measures. Succession studies to assess the regeneration of Pannonic oak forests. Assessment of grassland regeneration by the monitoring of an indicator species, the very rare, Dolomite flax (Linum dolomiticum). Monitoring game density to assess the effectiveness of population reduction measures. Monitoring, through fenced control plots, of the damage caused by big game. Information to the public about the aims of the project and lobbying of the planning authorities to preserve the buffer zones around the project area would support the above practical measures. Results All the planned activities were completed and the project objectives were met. In a number of cases, the original targets for specific measures were surpassed. For example, the opening up of Austrian pine stands to encourage natural regeneration, exceeded the wood production target by 280 m3, twice as many information boards were installed (30 instead of 15), 3 000 nature trail booklets were published instead of the planned 2 000, and the initially, leased LIFE project office in the nearby village of Pilisszentiván, has been developed into an environmental education centre, bought by the end of the project to guarantee its long-term future. Habitat reconstruction: This work was significantly delayed due to the fact that the beneficiary does not own the project area (see result 5). Nevertheless, the technology applied for habitat restoration works, proved successful for pine wood conversion, and may serve as a model for the management of other Natura 2000 sites in Hungary. Austrian pine conversion is a general problem throughout the country. The trees were planted in the past, over large areas. However, conversion poses a high risk of erosion. The technology applied in the Szénás hills i.e. the construction of erosion blocks, and the use of a ‘skidding slide’ and horses – can be useful for other slopes on similar terrain. 1. Reduction of game from the enclosure: This activity encountered difficulties. Unfortunately, the big game traps employed did not catch mouflon or fallow deer effectively. The population reduction was therefore primarily achieved by culling. However, the fencing of the enclosure has also prevented disturbance by human activities, notably from motocross riding. This initially provoked local opposition, a problem which was overcome by the dissemination of appropriate information – articles, boards, public forums etc, and by the installation of rotary and swing gates and the conversion of stiles to allow continued public access on foot. 2. Ranger: Thanks to the ranger employed by the project on a full-time basis, the level of wardering of the area is higher than the Hungarian norm. However, as in other areas close to a large city, vandalism poses a threat to project installations, such as the information boards. 3. Environmental education: Environmental education programmes, in particular the organisation of volunteer work, and the establishment of an education centre in Pilisszentiván, proved particularly successful. The community of Pilisszentiván previously offered a limited choice of after-school activities and the (free) courses and workshops for youngsters proved both popular and successful in spreading knowledge on the importance of nature conservation. 4. Project monitoring: Four different monitoring programmes were carried out over the project life-time. These provide valuable information on the effects of management practices. At the same time, these studies are of significant scientific value, e.g., the data on the occurrence and population dynamics of the endemic Dolomite flax. 5. Future sustainability: Finally, the beneficiary’s original efforts to transfer the legal rights for the management of the area from the current forest manager, Pilis Forest Management Company (PFC), to the national park, were not successful. However, an agreement has been reached for the creation of ‘management zones’ and for co-operation after-LIFE in the area to assure the implementation of conservation management. After decades of opposition, this is a remarkable success. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).