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The most important remaining population of bear (Ursus arctos) in Greece is found in the Pindus range, in a vast area with extensive human activities and structures. The current condition of the bear's habitat is a result of human history and traditional exploitation, but this situation is changing under the pressure of new development plans and changes in the sectorial economy. Although attitudes of people in the Greek highlands are primarily positive toward the bear, the efficiency of bear protection efforts depends on the integration of conservation measures into the socio-economic setting. On a large scale, objectives such as conservation of bear habitat integrity and diversity can be specified using zoning techniques and may be incorporated into regional planning. Conversely, it is possible to increase space availability and limit disturbance to important sectors for bears by re-adjusting critical human activities or by broadening the scope of EIA studies. All steps of a bear conservation project should be designed properly and adapted to the local environment and economic activities.