The WATERWAYSNET project will make it possible to establish a precise study of the country areas of the Atlantic zone which are linked to water, through setting up a methodology for the integrated study of this natural heritage. The countryside itself will then become a fully-recognised criterion for the development of properly thought-out tourist activities, and above all, recognizing the value of these areas will integrate all the data which are indispensable to the management of the ecological territory. WATERWAYSNET will make it possible to give coherence to a real recognition of the value of areas linked to water. Also, it will contribute to rehabilitating the landscaping function of the riparian vegetation of watercourses, to mobilising trans-national experts (including landscapers) on this theme, as well as helping the actors and populations concerned, notably the collectivities and individuals living on the banks of waterways, and to rehabilitating these country areas. Achievements: The WATERWAYSNET project has been developed under 4 main items about how to have a coherent development of water-related landscapes in the atlantic area : ✔ Understanding For the first time, the waterwaysnet project has allowed the creation of a general inventory of rivers and wetlands in the atlantic area through specific methodologies. Actions : Ecological scoping studies, Geotechnical studies ✔ Experimentation Pilot demonstration sites associated with the exchanges of know-how and expertises across complementary territories (various geographical and cultural aspects) allowed the setting up of a network that aim to become a reference tool. Actions : 3 footbridges across River Thouet, experimental tree plantations and tree nursery, interpretation pathways (4), biodiversity museum ✔ Responsibilities The development of technical and management methods amongst different stakeholders (decision makers, riparian owners, landscape planners, farmers) allowed the development of a social approach to environmental problem solving including risk management (flooding, pollution). Actions : study on flooding in Vilaine River area, invasive weeds GIS and methodology ✔ Transmission In order to communicate to experts and general public, a specific communication process has been developed. Actions : technical guide (English/Spanish), waterwaysnet website http://www.waterwaysnet.org/, final meeting (2 days of conferences)