Reintroducing keystone species as a catalyst for the restoration of this mountain ecosystem and its rural communities, Stara Planina will support local and global climate change goals. This project contributes to the conservation of endangered, threatened or vulnerable species and their habitats in the wild through (1) applied, in-situ scientific field studies on species and habitats and (2) engagement of relevant communities/stakeholders through support of sustainable community development projects directly connected to protecting species and habitats.