Background Located along the northern shore of Lake Mälaren, the Asköviken area hosts a rich variety of important breeding bird species including the Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana) and Marsh Harrier (Circus aeroginosus). Bean Geese (Anser fabalis) are regular visitors during migration and in recent years small numbers of Lesser White-Fronted Geese (Anser erythropus) have also been recorded. The lake’s wetland catchment areas have been affected by changing agricultural practices over the years and threats to the bird populations’ habitats have emerged from vegetation overgrowth, particularly reeds, caused by high nutrient loading and a general lack of grazing. Conscious of this situation, the authorities responsible for the lake area drew up a comprehensive management plan and were awarded LIFE Nature funds in 2004 to help implement their plan. Objectives The LIFE project aimed to create the necessary conditions to ensure the long-term survival of valuable habitats and species present in Askö-Tidö’s 379 hectares. Actions focused on the restoration and long-term management of habitat 3150 (Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition – type vegetation) and habitat 6410 (Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae). The restoration activities planned to improve both foraging and breeding possibilities for a number of species listed in the Birds Directive, including Botaurus stellaris, Chlidonias niger and Circus aeruginosus. Local farmers played a significant role in the project’s conservation activities, which also included enhancing and managing public access using sensitive approaches that corresponded with the area’s status as a Natura 2000 site, SPA, pSCI and Ramsar site. Results The project achieved all of its stated objectives including complex compensation payments for hunting rights and habitat restoration actions led to a reduction of reed beds over 31 hectares of wet meadows. Shallow water areas within the reed beds have been increased by the LIFE project and two new channels were created. An older passage for small boats was also restored and a total of six hectares of channels and lagoons were created during the project. The border zone between the reed bed and open water was effectively doubled from approximately four kilometres to approximately 8 kilometres. Furthermore, a shallow water area/blue fringe was established between the wet meadows and the reed bed. This covered a strip ranging between 20 and 200 metres in width along 4.5 kilometres of shoreline. Such areas are rich in water insects and aquatic plants, thus making good feeding areas for waders and ducks. A programme of public access works resulted in a new bird watching hide and 850 m of new footpaths that are suitable of disabled visitors. Thanks to the LIFE project, mowing and grazing is now possible on 35 important hectares of wet meadows at Asköviken. This land was restored to facilitate environmentally-beneficial farming practices that will help support the area’s status as a Natura 2000 site, SPA, pSCI and Ramsar site. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).