Background The steep volcanic Călimani and Gurghiu mountains in Romania constitute a unique landscape with a biodiversity of high ecological value. The 19 habitats of Community interest in the Călimani-Gurghiu Natura 2000 site are home to eight mammal, three amphibian and reptile, six fish, six invertebrate and seven plant species listed in the Habitats Directive, along with 22 bird species listed in the Birds Directive. The degradation and loss of habitats – especially alluvial forest, temperate heath and semi-natural Nardus grasslands – has increased over the past century. Forests are subject to unsustainable logging practices; temperate heaths have become more accessible and almost completely destroyed by the intensive collection of medicinal plants; and a reduction in traditional grazing and mowing practices has resulted in tall herbs, shrubs and trees becoming established on semi-natural Nardus grasslands. Objectives The SFC Călimani-Gurghiu project aimed to restore alluvial forests of Alnus glutinosa (alder) and Fraxinus excelsior (ash), temperate heaths with Pinus mugo (dwarf mountain pine) and Rhododendron myrtifolium, and Nardus grasslands situated in the mountainous Călimani-Gurghiu area in central Romania. Specific objectives included the removal of invasive Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust) in alluvial forests, the planting of native species in forests and temperate heaths, and the stripping of tall herbs from Nardus grasslands followed by traditional grazing. In addition to restoring these three habitat types, the project aimed to increase public participation in conservation actions in the project area. Results The SFC Călimani-Gurghiu project restored three habitat types in the Călimani-Gurghiu Natura 2000 site in central Romania during its three-and-a-half year duration: habitat 91E0 (‘Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior’), habitat 4070 (‘Bushes with Pinus mugo and Rhododendron hirsutum’), and habitat 6230 (‘Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas and sub-mountain areas in Continental Europe’); project actions were also conducted in parts of the Călimani National Park and the Upper Mureş Gorge Nature Park. The two beneficiaries (Mureş EPA and Mureş Forest State Administration) exceeded targets for several concrete actions and involved many people from local communities in participatory and awareness-raising actions. A total of 12.5 ha of ‘Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior‘ (91E0) was rehabilitated in the Natura 2000 site, by uprooting 105 invasive Robinia pseudoacacia trees and planting 15 300 seedlings of Alnus glutinosa in 2011; while an additional 4 373 Alnus glutinosa seedlings were planted along the Upper Mureş Gorge in 2012 and 2013. The Alnus glutinosa seedling planting had a 89% success rate, helping bring this habitat up to a relatively favourable/favourable conservation status. In total, 30 ha of heath with bushes (4070) in the high area of Călimani Mountain was restored, with 93 000 Pinus mugo and 50 000 Rhododendron myrtifolium seeds being planted, along with 500 Pinus cembra seedlings. This took the habitat type from a degraded status to a relatively favourable/favourable conservation status. In the species-rich Nardus grasslands (6230), controlled grazing and mowing were implemented and once-abundant invasive species almost completely eliminated in the high sub-alpine areas of the Călimani Mountains and the low sub-mountain area of the Gurghiu Mountains. In the Călimani Mountains, 198 ha of this habitat was restored, achieving a relatively favourable/favourable conservation status compared to a previously degraded status. In the Gurghiu Mountains, 112 ha of Nardus grasslands was also brought into a favourable and even excellent conservation status, as the degraded parts of the habitat disappeared in this area. The strengthening of public participation in conservation actions in the Călimani and Gurghiu mountains was an important goal of the project, and the local population was involved in all the stages of the project implementation. Sixteen public meetings were organised in the project area, involving local people, students, local authorities and landowners. Ten information boards about the targeted habitats were placed in the project area. A range of informative materials was printed and disseminated, including 4 000 leaflets, 5 200 brochures for the general public and student, 3 000 DVDs, caps, T-shirts, folders, pens, and calendars. A project website was set up (www.lifemures.ro) and 2 500 copies of the Layman’s Report were published. The project’s main actions had high demonstrating value, and they could be replicated in other protected areas in the future, both nationally and internationally, especially the success of transplanting 3-year old Pinus mugo seedlings in compost made from coniferous wood to rehabilitate alluvial forests, and the use of controlled grazing with different animals (cattle, sheep and horses) to rehabilitate Nardus grasslands. Socio-economic benefits deriving from the project include the education and training of local people in nature conservation and restoration actions, which will enable these people to contribute to the removal of invasive herbs and trees from pastures and woodland, respectively, and planting and mowing actions, for many years to come. The value of the rehabilitated grasslands has been increased to the benefit of the local community; while the number of tourists has increased in the Călimani Mountains, partly as a result of the dissemination of information about the project and its target habitats. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).