Background The Soonwald, a largely continuous forest area in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is of very high importance for nature conservation: large parts are covered with variously structured forest types. All of them show a high amount of old growth beech and oak as well as significant numbers of humid sites. A substantial part of this area belongs to the state of Rheinland-Pfalz; the remaining 9% belongs to local communes. Many of the bogs and wetlands in the Soonwald have become degraded by drainage. Today, only small remnants of the “Hangbrücher” (transition mires) and bog woodlands remain. Former humid alder forests are now mainly covered with spruce and are in an unnatural condition. As a result of the continuous forest cover, the light-lowing oak trees, which are of central importance for biodiveristy, are increasingly pushed out of the forests and replaced by species of shade-loving tree species. Habitat features such as small pools, woodland meadows and forest edges are of great importance to the European wildcat (Felis sylvestris) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), bats, birds, amphibians as well as other rare animal species. Objectives The project will target the enitre Natura 2000 site, which comprises more than 5 600 ha. It aims to carry out rewetting and water management measures to improve the conservation status of the mires and forests within the project area. The main actions will focus on the blocking of ditches (to re-wet the mires), and redirecting surface run-off into neighbouring forest stands. In addition, the removal of spruce from the humid and moist sites should benefit the maintenance of old growth oaks and promote their natural regeneration. Other project actions will include: Creating new small ponds and restoring existing ones; Improving the habitat features which are of importance for the wildcat and lynx in the forests; Creating or restoring richly structured forest edges; Constructing paths for visitors; ‘Environmental education’ – encouraging volunteer work to actively involve visitors to the forests in the restoration/maintenance work.