Background The Fochteloërveen nature reserve is a peat bog on the border of the Drenthe and Friesland provinces. The quality of the bog has suffered seriously in recent decades, although a previous LIFE project, “Restoration programme of the Fochteloërveen raised bog” (1999-2003) improved its hydrological conditions. East of the area restored by the earlier LIFE project, two intensively-cultivated grassland areas are situated: Kolonievaart (46 ha) and Stallaan (63 ha). In between these areas, there is heath land, forest, open water and former peat bogs – the so-called Norger Petgaten (55 ha) and the Esmeer (206 ha). These are characterised by a strongly-modified hydrological regime, negatively affecting the quality and extent of the bog habitats. Eutrophication is also a problem for the area. Objectives The project's goals are to increase the size and quality of several Natura 2000 habitats, as follows: The Kolonievaart area will be rewetted in combination with the removal of the top soil. Water from the Fochteloërveen will be transported through the Kolonievaart to the brook valley of the Slokkert rivulet, improving the water quality in the brook valley. In the Norger Petgaten and Esmeer areas the water level will be raised. Ditches will be removed and barrages will be placed. Trees will be removed to reduce evaporation. The water levels in the Stallaan area will become much higher. The present ditches will be removed and dams with barrages will be installed, securing higher water levels. A relatively nutrient rich wetland will develop in this area, which will hopefully become a habitat for rare wetland birds. The measures will enhance water levels in the nearby Kolonieveld, which is situated on the fringe of the previous LIFE project area. Its water levels are, despite the measures taken in the first project, still too low in summer, because the Stallaan area, which is situated at a lower level, takes water from the Kolonieveld. Long-term benefits of the measures (over a period of 15-50 years) will include an increase in the area and quality of active raised bogs, degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration and Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix. The project will also reduce human noise and interference in the total area, offering more possibilities for breeding, feeding and resting for rare birds. In addition, the construction of a viewing platform will contribute to the appreciation of the area by visitors.