Background Hády Hill, rising to 423 metres above sea level, dominates the landscape to the northeast of Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic. The site is situated in the southernmost part of the Moravian Karst, a limestone area of caves and small underground rivers, which is one of the most beautiful and most visited areas in the country. The presence of lime and the flow of the Svratka river, which cuts a deep valley, have contributed to creating the ideal conditions for a high concentration of thermophilous plant species and habitats (i.e those thriving in a warm environment ). Several of these are included in the Habitats Directive: Echium russicum and Pulsatilla grandis (Annex II) and Cypripedium calceolus (Annex V), sub-pannonic steppic grasslands, pannonian white oak woods, pannonian oak hornbeam forests, lime alder forests of slopes, screens and ravines and calcareous screen (all of which are listed in Annex I). Several developments were threatening the unique biodiversity of this area. A move away from traditional agriculture and grazing methods had led to overgrowth on pastures and the invasion of alien species such as black locust (Robinia pseudacacia), common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Norway spruce (Picea abies). Furthermore, the priority habitats and species were being endangered by the existence of limestone quarries that gradually destroyed the unique steppe grasslands. Following the closure of the quarry at Hády in 1998, the area was abandoned and had become overgrown. Objectives The project’s main objective was the restoration and sustainable management of some 150 ha of the Hády’s natural and semi-natural vegetation, a haven for some very rare thermophilous plants and habitats. This would be achieved by a series of interrelated actions. For example, in order to safeguard the most endangered flora and fauna, the beneficiary planned to purchase just under 4 ha of land close to the Hády quarry. Following on from this some 50 ha of abandoned pastures with occurrences of sub-Pannonic steppic grasslands would be restored and the traditional grazing re-established. In practical terms, restoration actions would target the removal of invasive tree species, in particular, black locust (Robinia pseudacacia) and scrub, and the introduction of an appropriate grazing management. Because of the important visitor load, hiking trails were to be restored and a CD produced to disseminate information on the fauna, flora, and management of the biotopes and species. Results The project was successful and its achievements have gone beyond what was expected at the outset – i.e. some 12 ha of land in and around the Hády quarry was bought from the mining company, Českomoravský Cement. The two Annex II priority plant species Echium russicum and Pulsatilla grandis now grow on this land. To favour the expansion of the dry grassland habitats and white oak forests, invasive species (in particular black locust and common ash) were eliminated over 56 ha ( the original proposal was for 25 ha). The natural succession of the vegetation was encouraged by planting seedlings of oak, lime tree, sycamore and common maple. Traditional grazing was also successfully re-established to maintain the grasslands and woodlands. On a small (2 ha) area, Norway spruce trees were removed in order to restore the lime alder forests of slopes, screens and ravines and calcareous screens of hill and montane levels in lower parts of the valley. The project also produced a good quality leaflets and a brochure. Both the project website and the DVD which feature valuable information about the Moravian Karst (project area). Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).