Background This project consisted of eleven separate Natura 2000 lake or mire areas, many of which were nationally (and in one case, internationally) valuable water bodies for birdlife. The project focused on some of the EU's most southerly aapa mires and one of Finland's most southward golden eagle (Aquila chrysaëtos) territories. All sites were important as bird refuges during breeding and/or migration. For example, at the Heinä-Suvanto–Hetejärvi site during migration it is possible to encounter a thousand wood sandpipers (Tringa glareola); this site is also the nesting ground of about twenty horned grebes (Podiceps auritus). The lake areas are threatened by overgrowth and drainage ditches (that have changed the hydrology of the mires). Additionally, the uncontrolled use of some areas has caused a decline in bird species which are sensitive to disturbance. Restoration of two sites was planned as a continuation of a previous ERDF project, using the experience gained. The beneficiary also planned to obtain ERDF funding in order to develop ornithology-based tourism for the Central Finland region. Objectives The target of the project was to implement 10 rehabilitation plans for the birdlife habitat (1300 ha), of which six would be prepared by the project. Practical work envisaged included raising water levels, dredging, mowing or clearance of shrubs. Bog and mire restoration plans would also be prepared and implemented in four areas by blocking drainage ditches (200 ha). Rehabilitation would require the acquisition of 600 ha of mire and wetland. For two sites a management plan would be prepared to reconcile the various forms of use with one another. The project envisaged close co-operation with the various parties concerned during the preparation of all these plans. The project also planned to build two observation towers, along with six artificial nests for the golden eagles. The project would also organise a seminar in order to promote nature tourism in the project areas. Te restoration of bogs and mires would improve the conditions for berry picking, bringing additional income for local people. Results The project drew up 10 restoration plans, 6 for bird lakes and 4 for mires. Two management plans (Heinä-Suvanto and Kulhavuori) were also achieved through co-operation with the major stakeholders. Landowners support for the restoration actions was gained through a series of public meetings. Another key result of the project was the acquisition of nearly 1000 ha of land for nature conservation, which exceeded the initial target of 600 ha. This land mainly consisted of aapa mires, transition mires and bog woodland and also to small extent boreal forests (Western Taiga) The project also restored 9 bird lakes in the five project areas. Eight bottom dams were also dredged of 10,1 ha in five areas as part of the project. There are already signs to suggest that bird populations, in particular the black headed gulls, have already benefited from the restoration initiatives. In four of the project areas, the bird lakes were mowed. Restoration work was also conducted on 330,6 ha of mires, which exceed the target of 200 ha. The beneficiary carried a series of dissemination activities including co-operation with print and broadcast media. Finally, monitoring of birds, vegetation, mire butterflies, bottom fauna, insects in bird lakes was undertaken.