Background Areas along the River Kokemäenjoki in Southwest Finland, from the river's ancient estuaries to the present estuary, including Lake Puurijärvi, Preiviikinlahti and Kokemäenjoen suisto, are among the most important for bird protection in Finland. They have been assessed as internationally valuable wetlands in many contexts. A number of species included in the Bird Directive's Annex I, or classified as nationally-threatened species, inhabit these areas, including bittern (Botaurus stellaris), marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), corncrake (Crex crex) and white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). Two of the few existing breeding sites of dunlin (Calidris alpina subsp. schinzii) can be found in the project areas. There are also priority natural habitat types and priority species, such as Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans), listed in the Habitat's Directive. To best protect these areas, improved management plans, to facilitate the co-existence of human populations with nature, and improvements to degraded habitats are necessary. Objectives The Kokemäenjoki-LIFE project aimed to produce management plans for eight areas along the River Kokemäenjoki in Southwest Finland, covering 12 303 ha in total, including lake, river, mire, semi-natural grassland and forest target habitats. These project areas are also very important for recreational use, so the aim was to include the views of visitors and landowners in the planning process. In particular, the project set out to restore key habitats, such as the river’s estuary where sediments have been polluted by hazardous substances and flood protection measures are in need of improvement. The project also aimed to restore the overgrown Puurijärvi lake by raising the water level. Other objectives included mire and forest area restoration in the Puurijärvi-Isosuo area; the building of small islands for breeding birds in the Preiviikinlahti area; the establishment of safe feeding grounds for wading birds in protected areas in Raijalanjärvi; the mowing of overgrown meadows to enhance breeding conditions for Dunlin; and increasing public awareness of nature conservation by enhancing the recreational facilities in the project areas. Results Management plans were produced for all Kokemäenjoki-LIFE project Natura 2000 sites, covering 12 303 hectares, with landowners, visitors and other stakeholders taking part in the planning process. Supplementary inventories of wildlife (e.g., dragonflies) were also produced for the management plans, while monitoring of target bird species, aquatic vegetation and land fauna was carried out in key habitats. As part of the management plan for Kokemäenjoen suisto estuary Natura 2000 site, hazardous substances in the sediments were analysed and the information was used in the planning of restoration work. The estuary is part of the potential flooding area for Pori city and its surrounds, with a population of about 15 000 people, so flood protection was taken into consideration as part of management planning, with research conducted during the project contributing to proposed flood prevention measures. The restoration of the overgrown 440 ha Puurijärvi lake was successfully completed. This was the largest wetland restoration project ever done in Finland and the experience gained has benefited similar projects. The water level in the southern part of the lake was raised by about 10 cm, which produced a new open water area of about 30 ha. In the northern part, an open water area of about 17 ha was excavated and dredged. In the Puurijärvi-Isosuo area, mire areas (156 ha) were restored by building dams and filling drainage ditches and forest habitats (40 ha) were restored by clearing coniferous trees; in Enäjärvi lake, in the Preiviikinlahti area, three small islands for breeding birds were built; and in Raijalanjärvi five small ponds and mud depressions were dug for the project targeted waders species. The project established safe feeding grounds for the in protected areas in Raijalanjärvi. In several project areas, overgrown meadows were mowed and cleared, and ditches filled, to enhance breeding conditions for dunlin. New possibilities for recreational use were developed in the project areas, with five bird-watching towers and platforms, access paths and walking trails, and information boards being built. These were necessary constructions for diminishing the disturbance effects of nature tourism, but they also helped raise awareness and create positive attitudes towards nature conservation. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan(see "Read more" section).