Background The AWD area is owned by the municipality of Amsterdam. The main land use is nature conservation and drinking water supply. Also ‘nature friendly recreation’ is allowed, namely hiking on designated paths. Since 1850, the area’s characteristic dune/wetland habitat types have deteriorated both in size and quality due to desiccation (drying out) from water extraction, air pollution and acidification and eutrophication (nitrogen deposition). In recent decades this negative environmental impact has decreased due to changing the method of water production in the area and measurements to reduce the nitrogen deposition. However large-scale measurements are needed in order to restore the area. The Waternet foundation has extensive experience of dune management and restoration and conservation of the landscape and natural processes. A team of 35 experts work on the day-to day management of the 3 400 ha dune area. These management tasks include: mowing, grazing and removal of invasive species (Prunus serotina). However, large-scale restoration measurements are required in order to reverse the effects of long term dehydration and to create the right conditions for the restoration of the natural habitats. Objectives The project’s overall aim is to restore and improve the characteristic and priority habitat types of the AWD that are part of the “Kennemerland Zuid” Natura 2000 site. The recovery of the area will be encouraged by actions targeting the effects of desiccation and eutrophication, such as the removal of the nitrogen-rich top layer of soil and of invasive species, restoration of ponds; and by mowing, grazing, and other nature management measures. More specifically, the project goals are: Expansion and improvement in quality of the priority habitat type "fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation”, also known as “grey dunes”; Expansion and improvement in quality of the habitat type, “dunes with Hippophae rhamnoides”, also known as seabuck thorn; and Expansion and quality improvement for the habitat type, “humid dune slacks”, including habitat suitable for the close whorl snail, mottled white-faced darter and the fen orchid. Expected results: Mowing and turfing of 98 ha of encroached tall grasslands, grey dunes and dune slacks; Mowing of 35 ha of grassland areas and dune valleys overgrown with tall grasses; Removal of 150 ha of scrubs and woodlands (including Prunus serotina). A further 65 ha of these will be turfed; 2 ha of old ‘blowouts’ excavated and reactivated; 20 ponds restored after dredging and removal of 100m3 of mud and of 2 ha of bank vegetation; An area of 350 ha will be managed with a flock of sheep grazing in the summer periods; Areas where these measures have been implemented will become suitable for development of the (priority) habitat types and habitats of target species, leading to the following: A 77 ha extension and 158 ha qualitative improvement for the priority habitat type "fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation”; An 18 ha extension and 80 ha qualitative improvement for the habitat type "dunes with Hippophae rhamnoides”; and An 11 ha extension and 6 ha qualitative improvement for the habitat type “humid dune slacks”. Overall, the target is to restore 350 ha of priority habitat types to a “favourable” conservation status.