Background The “Engbertsdijksvenen” nature reserve covers one of the largest peat-bog areas in the Netherlands and has been designated as a proposed Site of Community Interest and a Special Protection Area. Its 1 001 hectares include raised bogs priority habitat type and degraded raised bogs habitat type. The latter offers potential to develop into a self-regulating (active) raised bog. The area is home to nine species of bog moss, including Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum cuspidatum and Sphagnum tenellum. It also supports important bird species listed under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive, such as the common crane (Grus grus), bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) and spotted crake (Porzana porzana). Fluctuations in water levels (both dehydration and flooding) have a negative impact on the bog’s mineralisation and discourage growth of the targeted habitat types. Objectives The project aimed to conserve, restore and develop the active raised bog and its associated vegetation including wet and humid heath, priority habitat type bog woodland and grasslands and communities from humid to dry conditions, such as dry heath and oak-birch woodlands. Other objectives covered: Conservation of flora and fauna diversity, including rare and threatened species of European importance; and Conservation of the historical-geological (archive) values such as intact soil profiles. Recreation and its impact/importance to nature conservation in the area was also considered by the project. Results The on-site restoration measures have been carried out as planned and the project objectives have been exceeded in places. Nine hectares of uncut raised bog have been actively managed as a core regeneration facility to secure ongoing sustainability of the bog reserve’s habitats. Within this core area a spontaneous increase and establishment of Sphagnum mosses has already started. Some 20 hectares of solid embankments have been established surrounding the regeneration core to protect its ecological integrity. Water management systems have been put in place to route excess rain water off of the raised bog and into the adjoining lower parts of the site, where this is helping the raised bog to form as well. Eco-hydrological research indicates that LIFE project actions have been effective in terms of water retention and reduction of lateral streaming (seepage). The new embankments and weirs enable water levels to be controlled for the first time over the full site and studies, started during the project, will continue up until 2020 to identify optimum hydrological conditions, and associated factors, for supporting the bog habitats' characteristic local wild-life species. Monitoring of vegetation and fauna will be included in ongoing studies and analysis to date confirms the aforementioned increase of Sphagnum cover, as well as improved coverage of vascular plants, such as Molinia caerulea and Calluna vulgaris. Erica tetralix shows a decline and this possibly reflects the dynamics of the overall vegetation cover. During the monitoring, several species of spiders and insects were recorded for the first time in the project area. These included the ant Formic apicea, the mosquito Lasiodiamesa sp. and the ground beetle Agonum ericeti. More information about these species and others will be gained from the ongoing studies in order to clarify appropriate management techniques for maintaining or increasing local biodiversity. Information on the habitat management methods has been disseminated and stakeholder participation has been encouraged via a new De Pluus bird-watching hide on the north side of the raised bog. Footpaths have also been assisted and the two new information panels provide the general public with environmental interpretation material. The LIFE project has been embedded within a strategic regional reconstruction plan for the Engbertsdijksvenen and LIFE support has been acknowledged as assisting the regional authorities deliver their spatial planning remit to protect Natura 2000 resources. The beneficiary is already implementing new conservation work to strengthen the results of the LIFE project by improving the raised bog and humid heathland conditions on a further 175 ha of land close to bog’s core regeneration area. These actions complement a detailed After-LIFE strategy of conservation actions planned to boost bog biodiversity and ensure a long term sustainable legacy from the LIFE support. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).