Background The Baltic raised bogs have a very limited distribution next to the Baltic Sea. Typically ombrotrophic, oligotrophic and acidic, these natural peat producing areas are covered by a specific vegetation type and are home to several rare/endangered plant species. The Baltic raised bogs include several natural habitat types of European importance: active raised bogs, degraded raised bogs still capable of regeneration, and bog woodlands. The bogs are typically dome-shaped, with a flat treeless plateau covered by a microrelief of hollows and hummocks, and slopes covered by bog woodlands. However, Baltic bogs affected by past drainage activities are often densely covered with pine or birch trees. Until recently, passive management was the rule in Poland for this type of habitats, but it has been proved to be inappropriate for a successful long-term conservation. Active management, including removing of invasive trees and old draining systems, appears to be necessary in a number of cases. Objectives The project targeted 23 of the 80 Baltic raised bogs have been recorded in northern Poland. Its overall objective was to maintain or restore active raised bogs and pine/birch bog forests in these sites in Pomerania, Poland. It aimed to: • Halt the process of drainage and subsequent water loss of peat bogs through the building of sluices and dams and through the filling of ditches. • Eliminate local threats to biodiversity, such as the extension of birch, pine trees and spruce. • Increase the knowledge of the natural values, ecology and hydrology of each raised bog and adapt management plans on the basis of knowledge gained. • Disseminate active raised bogs conservation, including innovative management techniques tested by the project. • Increase public awareness of Baltic raised bogs and their conservation needs, especially among the most influential stakeholders groups, but also among local communities and the general public. Results The project, the first LIFE Nature project in Poland, was very successful. The habitat restoration activities, including blocking 724 points of drainage systems, construction of 4 km of ditches,and cutting of trees in 13 bogs sites (approx.720 ha), undertaken within the scope of the project were effective. The water level conditions in 17 project sites have been significantly improved, though the continuous After-LIFE monitoring is necessary and will be performed in order to evaluate the final success of the bogs habitat restoration work. The drawing up of management plans (17 sites have plans) and the Habitats’ Action Plan for Baltic raised bogs in Poland will make a great contribution to the future conservation and management of the Baltic raised bogs habitats. These documents include the short- and long-term objectives appropriate for each relevant site. As a result of the project actions, 13 new protected areas of national importance have been created, including ten new nature reserves – areas exclusively allocated for the nature conservation purposes now. Besides its original objectives the project has significantly contributed to the overall extension of the Natura 2000 network in Poland. By the end of the project 22 of 23 project sites were on the Polish Natura 2000 network site list and 15 of them are now included in the list as a result of the project. An influential group of around 30 specialists in bog conservation was created by the project. The group can call upon a wide range of experience and knowledge of Polish conservation actions and those of other countries. This collaboration initiative will continue after the end of the project. The project collaborated with a wide range of stakeholders, including foresters (site managers), nature conservation institutions and NGOs. It also raised public awareness of the conservation of the bogs’ habitats, including the importance of the Natura 2000 network, and created a set of convenient public access pathways. Such measures were crucial for the further sustainability and After-LIFE continuation of the project objectives. Disclaimer : This « results » section should be considered as a draft until the Commission has completed its evaluation .