Steppe Viper (Vipera renardi) is a rare species in Ukraine with declining population number. It is listed in the Red Data book of Ukraine under category Vulnerable, Appendix 2 of Bern Convention and European Red List (VU). During the project we are planning to make assessment of current distribution of endangered steppe viper in North-Eastern Ukraine. Comparison of different habitats (with healthy and dense populations, with low-density populations and historical localities, where snakes went extinct in historical time) will allow us to understand what factors are important for long-time conservation of the species, what are the main threads and how scientifically grounded conservation strategy must look like. We will distribute among authorities and NGOs a report with recommendation about changes in conservation status of remaining patches of steppe vegetation hosting populations of steppe viper and will prepare documentation for including them to the National Park territory or establishment of other protected territories. The mentioned activities will conserve not only steppe viper, but all communities of steppe biota, which includes many endangered species of animals and plants.

Also we will work with local people aiming education and change of traditional negative attitude to snakes. Booklets with description of rules how to behave in nature will be published and distributed. It will help to save snakes and avoid their bites. Other public and education activity (lectures, talks, interviews) will help to change public opinion towards positive attitude to snakes and in particularly to vipers. We believe that such approach would be of benefit for all reptiles, especially snakes and legless lizard, being often confused with venomous snakes and directly killed.

The project also will be one of the actions of Ukrainian conservation activists to stop very harmful to many animals and plants burning of grasslands.