Background Sub-Mediterranean Pine Forests with endemic black pines are a priority habitat of the Habitats Directive. In Romania, this habitat type is represented by the Pinus nigra banatica forest, which is found in the Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park. The main threats to the conservation of this habitat type are tourism, the main human activity in this area, forest fires and the felling of trees for firewood by the local population. Uncontrolled tourism is also causing the degradation of the natural habitats. Moreover, the high temperatures reached in the past few summers caused fires that destroyed some important forest areas. For example, in 2000, 90ha of Pinus nigra banatica forests were destroyed on steep and rocky slopes that made it very difficult to intervene with the limited means available. Furthermore, the Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park doesn’t have a management plan and the forest area targeted in the project is lacking specific conservation measures. Objectives This LIFE project aimed to introduce long-term conservation to the sub-Mediterranean forests with Pinus nigra banatica in the Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park. The actions proposed to achieve this objective would include the assessment of the conservation status of natural habitats and species and the implementation of an integrated monitoring system, setting up the management plan of the site, as well as the improvement and development of the warding system. In order to recover an area that has been highly degraded by forest fires in recent years, the restoration of 25ha of Pinus nigra banatica forest would also be undertaken. The project also planned to set up appropriate paths and visitor facilities in order to foster sustainable tourism, as well as to develop an information centre to inform the visitors. Moreover, informational materials (leaflets, newspaper articles, radio and TV news, booklets and CDs) would be produced to raise awareness and promote the site and the Natura 2000 network. Results The main result of the project was the ecological reconstruction of 25ha black pine forest damaged by fire. This was achieved in an area that is hard to reach and where black pine cannot regenerate by itself. An extensive assessment of wildlife conservation status, natural habitats status, and the impact of human activities was performed. In addition, threats to the continued conservation efforts in the area were identified. These included extreme natural phenomena – ie, drought and long hot periods drying up vegetation on the site – that can cause large-scale and frequent fires to flare up as well as facilitating pest outbreaks. ‘Internal’ threats were also identified, such as insufficient funding, including the Forestry Administration – National Park Domogled – Valea Cernei, for continuing the actions planned. The training of the staff, however, contributed to an increase in the skill level of the warding employees and workforce that process data and information using IT techniques. The project also helped to support sustainable tourism through the structures and facilities created in the project. Another result of the project was the proposal of the project site as a Natura 2000 site and the drawing up of a Management Plan. The measures set out in the plan should lead to the development of a sustainable economy. The project established waste collection to reduce the risk to human health. Finally, the project produced didactic tools (leaflets, postcards, calendars, CDs, photos, movies, etc.) and held training activities to educate local young people about the importance of conservation. One event, the annual festival “Banat Black Pine”, proved to be a very effective way of promoting the project and Natura 2000 network. Support of the tourism infrastructure aroused the interest of stakeholders and project target groups. As a basic precondition for successful implementation, the project built up lasting partnerships with the partner institutions. It engaged a large number of specialists, scientists and managers experienced in conservation and biodiversity issues.