Background Rochefort marshes (13 640 ha), located between La Rochelle and Rochefort in Charente-Maritime department, form part of the vast Atlantic littoral marshes. Due to their high ecological value, they were designated sites of Community interest and are home to unusual natural habitats (brackish marshes code 1410 and marsh ditches code 3150 among others) and migrating and wintering bird populations. The marshes are also key habitats for species such as otter (Lutra lutra), European mink (Mustela lutreola) and Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpine). Objectives The project aimed to implement all the high-priority conservation measures for species and habitats of European importance as drawn up in the Natura 2000 management plan (Document d’Objectifs) – the plan was validated in 2005 by all local partners. The project aimed to: Improve the biological potential of 225 ha of wet meadows through proper hydraulic and ecological management. Acquire 15 ha of wet woodland to allow the preservation of species’ cortegium linked to this type of habitat. Regenerate 2 km of wooded levies through the restoration of pollarded trees and ash plantations. Prevent road collisions with otter and European mink through a survey network and collaboration with road management services to neutralise danger spots. Restore reproduction habitats of black tern (Chlidonias niger) and Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus), and acquire and protect 4 ha of meadows favourable to their reproduction. Carry out a biological survey and study programmes to assess the marsh’s biological quality. Educate and inform stakeholders of the marsh’s rich biodiversity using a range of communication materials (website, leaflets and brochures etc.) and activities such as field visits, guides and thematic working groups of farmers.Results Most actions were completed and the overall project's objectives were reached, even though some actions were cancelled and some delays were incurred at the beginning of the project. Hydrological units that are partly independent from the collective drainage system were created on 225 ha of grasslands. Water levels can now be managed in a way that is both favourable to biodiversity (wintering waterfowl and migratory birds) and farming activities (traditional grazing). The project could not carry out hydrological works on 105 ha of the grasslands initially identified because of the eventual withdrawal of the owners’ support. Consequently, additional works were carried out on land owned by the beneficiary so that the initial objectives could still be reached. Small floating nesting platforms were made for black terns to use annually. Monitoring showed that these platforms are indeed very favourable to the species’ breeding: throughout the project duration, 60% of the nests found within Marais de Rochefort were installed on these platforms. In 2010, a record number of 26 fledging chicks hatched, significantly higher than the annual average of eight chicks produced over the last 20 years. These results demonstrate the benefits of the management actions as well as the management of favourable water levels put in place by the project. A land survey was carried out over 65 ha of wet woodlands. A total of 5 ha were purchased – including 1.25 ha that were acquired using non-LIFE funding – instead of the foreseen 15 ha. These acquisitions should help protect the existing colony of purple herons, though the impact may be not as great as expected. The limited success of the land purchase programme also led to the cancellation of some of the restoration works since a homogenous area was necessary for them to be carried out. A total 2.25 km of woody levees (dykes with rows of pollarded trees) were restored through the restoration of pollarded trees and the plantations of ash trees. To reduce road mortality rates of the otter and the European mink, a survey of the road collision points was carried out. A network is now in place for road collision data to be centralised. A partnership was developed with road infrastructure services, which committed to neutralising the main collision points in the near future. However, no concrete action was foreseen during the LIFE project. Based on these works concrete actions to neutralise those main collision points with national funding will start in 2012. A management plan was developed for 20 ha of grasslands to ensure that habitats are kept favourable for breeding Montagu’s harriers. Restoration works were carried out to reopen some of these habitats. But the project failed to purchase 4 ha of grasslands that should have been restored in favour of the species. Flora and bird monitoring surveys were carried out over a significant area of Marais de Rochefort. The results were used to assess the impact of agri-environmental schemes and were presented to groups of farmers in order to illustrate the benefits of such schemes for natural or semi-natural grasslands. Information and communication actions took place throughout the project leading to the development of a wide range of documents, the creation of an observatory and the organisation of field visits. The project succeeded in developing partnerships with key stakeholders such as CAPR (landowner of marshes), UNIMA (in charge of managing the collective drainage system) and the road infrastructure authorities. Their commitments should ensure the continuation or extension of some of the project’s actions. The project also helped with the development of the Natura 2000 charter and contributed to the implementation of the Natura 2000 sites' action plans (Document d'Objectifs), which will ensure funding is available for the continuation of some of the LIFE project's actions. Based on the project’s work and results, the partners have put forward a proposal to classify some of the project’s sites under further conservation status. Such a proposal is in line with the current Conservation Strategy for Protection Areas (SCAP) of the French Ministry of Environment. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).