Background The National Park Groote Peel and Natura 2000 site (1 345 ha) in the south-east of the Netherlands has two habitat types requiring protection under the Habitats Directive: ‘Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration’ (658 ha) and ‘European dry heaths’ (115 ha). It is a core area for remnant raised bogs in Europe. However, raised bogs have an unfavourable conservation status as a result of systematic desiccation and strongly fluctuating water levels caused by drainage and irrigation in adjacent agricultural areas, and a draining effect caused by the Eeuwselse Loop (a large waterway). Raised bogs are also threatened by eutrophication caused by nitrogen deposits, decaying organic matter and nutrients supplied by the Eeuwselse Loop. The nutrient-rich water favours species that are highly competitive with the original flora and fauna of the raised bogs. These threats can only be countered by large-scale systems-oriented measures. Objectives The LIFE+GP project aims to restore the eco-hydrological situation in Groote Peel National Park. It is aiming to improve the quality of the regenerative raised bogs and the species that depend on them – from an unfavourable to a favourable conservation status. As a result, the ecosystem is expected to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Specifically, the project also aims to: Counter the nutrients from the Eeuwselse Loop by increasing water levels to improve the bog mosses’ competitiveness, and by relocating and isolating this waterway; Take measures to maintain and strengthen Groote Peel’s status as a core area for raised bogs and their associated species, by forming ‘stepping stones’ to facilitate exchange between the different flora and fauna species’ populations; Directly benefit through habitat restoration several resident breeding birds listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, including little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), bluethroat (Luscinia svecica), spotted crake (Porzana porzana), black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) and stonechat (Saxicola rubicola), and also for wintering and migrating birds who use the area for resting and foraging, such as the tundra bean goose (Anser serrirostris), the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and the common crane (Grus grus). Expected results: Increase in quality (from moderate to good) of the regenerative raised bogs habitat over approximately 631 ha in the long term (by 2030); Raised hydrologic level over a total area of 1 195 ha in order to regenerate bogs; Improved hydrological conditions in the Natura 2000 network site; Benefits to the already varied and large bird populations, through improved breeding and foraging ground; Benefits to typical raised bog species, such as bog rosemary, white-faced darter and common lizard; and Revitalised ecosystem that is more resilient to external influences, such as weather extremes.