Background Despite intensive land use, the Flemish Ardennes area, in the Oost Vlaanderen province of Belgium, has historically experienced high levels of biodiversity. Traditional forest use allowed the wild flora and fauna to stay in good condition. Species-rich ash and alder woods as well as oak and beech woods were well developed in the area. However, an intensification of sylvicultural practices as part of the post-World War I reconstruction programmes, changed multifunctional use of forest to a process of cyclical management with wood production as its main objective. Forest margins which had previously been rich in species narrowed into sharply-defined borders. Pools disappeared and streams became eutrophic, reducing biotopes for the crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri). De Wielewaal (an NGO now part of Natuurpunt) and the Flemish Government had already developed substantial reserves in this area before the LIFE project. Objectives The project partners came together under the official leadership of WWF-Belgium and the de facto leadership of Natuurpunt to maintain and restore the natural assets of the area. It aimed to tackle increasing land use practices such as homogenous beech plantations, upper stories of cultivated poplars, more intensive exploitation of adjacent farming areas and the clearing of forest stands for cultivation. The partners sought to re-encourage the typical herbaceous layer, generate less dense stands, reduce the fragmentation of the forest biotopes and increase biodiversity. To achieve these results, the project planned to buy about 140 ha of land to create larger blocks of territory, which could then be restored and managed in a coherent fashion. In the heart of the existing woods, only appropriate forest management was planned to develop a rich herb layer. The most important work was foreseen on the forest margins to extend existing protected areas, create new protected areas and enhance connectivity between sites. Results The project restored a better ecological connection between forest sections that had become fragmented. The conservation status of the forests was improved and the positive effects can be expected to increase in the coming years as the benefits are felt of restoring areas to natural forest. The project started by developing management and strategic plans for the project areas in Grimminge, Everbeekse Bossen and Ename. These were designed to inform the ongoing work to improve the ecological status of the forests within the project. A major element of the project was the purchase of forest land and adjacent grasslands to enable restoration work to be undertaken. The project was able to buy around 133ha in four zones. A stable was also purchased and renovated in Ename to act as a store for vital project material and as an information centre on the area. Poplars were felled and a grazing system established using tools such as cattle grids and fences to control the movement of cattle. This enabled some areas to be subjected to intensive grazing to encourage the growth of more natural forest sections. The drainage system of the agricultural area of Everbeek was partially destroyed to inactivate it and restore more natural hydrological conditions for wet forests. Two pools for amphibians were constructed and protected from livestock. The project successfully converted less natural forest to more natural. It also turned former grasslands, cultivated land and former loam carries to forest. This progress will be continued in a natural way to enhance and protect biodiversity in the forests. Grazing maintenance is easy to continue and the ongoing commitment of Natuurpunt and the Flemish Administration in the area is assured. Public awareness about the conservation of the forests and the Natura 2000 area was increased through the improvement and subsequent inauguration of hiking paths and a communication campaign using educational material such as brochures, booklets and a website. This project has been selected as one of the 26 "Best" LIFE Nature projects in 2007-2008.