Background Good water management is necessary for human development to be sustainable: factors affecting rivers have led to the disappearance or decline of important species and to a loss of biodiversity. Water management, in particular, requires the protection and conservation of species that are reliable indicators of the ecological status of rivers. Thus, three species, identified as priority for conservation by the Habitats Directive, are targeted by this project: the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), and the thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus). Other important species are also concerned: Brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), European bullhead (Cottus gobio), and, indirectly, brown trout (Salmo trutta fario). All of these species, which are in significant decline, are very sensitive to physical modifications of their environment and/or to water quality. This project applies at the catchment area level the experience acquired from a previous project LIFE04 NAT/FR/000082 "Headwater streams and associated faunistic heritage". Objectives The project objectives are based around four main axes: restoration works on degraded habitats, changes in agro-silvicultural practices along the banks, removing obstacles to improve connectivity, and awareness raising. The restoration actions will involve the rehabilitation of 5 km of streams, removing 25 small and 7 large obstacles, placing 10.2 km of fences, 30 fordings or watering places and 16 permanent crossings points to protect the banks from cattle and agricutural and forestry vehicles, removing conifers along 10 km of banks (20ha) and replanting 4.5 km with natural vegetation, removing 7 km of Japanese knotweed and removing invasive alien crayfish, converting 15 ponds to limit diffuse pollution. The awareness raising work wil focus site managers, the general public, school children and elected representatives. Expected results: The main expected result is an increase in the populations of Austropotamobius pallipes, Margaritifera margaritifera, Unio Crassus, Lampetra planeri, and Cottus gobio. Besides protecting these species, which are in decline, a natural recolonisation will help to prove that their natural habitats were successfully rehabilitated. This rehabilitation will also indirectly benefit all species of aquatic flora and fauna within the streams; The efficiency of best practices will be demonstrated at the scale of the catchment area; and It is expected that the large-scale of the project will help to better raise awareness among local stakeholders and the general public than the isolated actions of the past.