Background Corncrakes are rare birds of humid grasslands. Considered ‘near threatened’ worldwide and included in Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive, the corncrake (Crex crex) breeds in alluvial meadows, lowland marshes, and drier parts of fens and bogs as well as in grasslands where vegetation is removed annually by mowing. The Dviete floodplain, a special protection area (SPA) within the Natura 2000 network, is regarded as one of the most important ‘core’ breeding areas nationally for the corncrake, with an estimated 40-100 breeding pairs. Despite still being relatively common in Latvia, the breeding population risks a potential decline because of widespread changes in land-use and habitat quality. It is predicted that corncrake numbers will decline with continued succession overgrowing of abandoned farmland, part of which is also lost to urban development around cities and towns, and renewed intensification of farming practices on the remaining open farmlands. Abandonment - and to a lesser degree intensification, with the subsequent effect of habitat change and loss - is another threat to current corncrake populations at many of the most important breeding areas for this bird in Latvia, including the project area of the Dviete floodplain. Actions are already underway, funded by the EU’s Rural Development programme, favouring the management of biologically valuable grasslands. However, more action is required to stabilise population trends for corncrake in Latvia. Objectives The main aim of the project is to improve the conservation status of the corncrake in Latvia and to restore breeding habitats for the species in a degraded and abandoned section of the Dviete river floodplain. Other aims are to demonstrate and promote the use of complex restoration methods for corncrake habitats in degraded floodplain grasslands; and to increase the participation and awareness among landowners and the local municipality of the management of the Dviete floodplain SPA for species of EU importance, including the corncrake. Expected results: The river Dviete will be restored to its natural meanders over a 2.1 km-long stretch – increasing the average groundwater level and improving the habitat quality for the corncrake; Bushes and trees will be cleared from at least 105 ha of abandoned and overgrown grasslands in and around the river restoration area. In addition, the open grassland habitats around the restoration area will be reconnected to form more than 300 ha of continuous open grasslands for breeding corncrakes – improving local habitat connectivity and overall Natura 2000 site integrity. The restored wet grasslands are expected to be maintained by natural grazing of cattle and horses in optimal densities to avoid re-growth but also prevent overgrazing; An increase in the number of breeding corncrakes in and around the habitat restoration area, thanks to improved patch size and connectivity; The development of an innovative model for classification of corncrake habitats using remote sensory techniques, using the Dviete floodplain as a pilot site.