Background Bøjden Nor is a nature reserve in the Syddanmark region of Denmark, which is owned by Karen Krieger Fonden. It has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) of national interest by the Danish branch of Birdlife International (DOF). Bøjden Nor consists of a shallow lagoon with two islands and surrounded by coastal meadows. It therefore provides a breeding grounds that is safe from foxes and other predators and is an important staging post for a wide variety of migrating birds. The Nor is most famous for the many ducks that come there from Northern Europe and Russia, including the tufted pochard, teal, wigeons and scaup. Buzzards, rough-legged buzzards and kestrels are frequent visitors in the winter months, when flocks of twite and snow bunting also make an appearance. However, the key habitat types of the reserve are threatened by fragmentation, overgrowth with trees and shrubs, and desiccation. The conservation status of both terrestrial and aquatic habitat types is also threatened to a high degree by nutrient enrichment from the catchment. Objectives The CONNECT HABITATS project aimed to restore semi-natural dry grassland habitats in the Bøjden Nor nature reserve to a favourable conservation status. It also aimed to improve the conservation status of coastal lagoons, Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietaliamaritimae) and petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion), and enable their development inland in order to combat the impact of climate change and coastal erosion. Other specific objectives were to: Purchase 25 ha of land and convert 20 ha of former arable land into dry grassland; Improve the hydrology and restore a mosaic of wetlands and petrifying springs on 5 ha of former arable land; Clear existing dry grassland and salt meadows of invasive species and introduce grazing regimes on 15.5 ha; Create buffer zones between the catchment and vulnerable coastal lagoons, salt meadows and dry grasslands; Reduce the nutrient impact on these habitats by the equivalent of 50% of the diffuse nitrogen load. The project foresaw improved coverage of submerged coastal lagoon vegetation, benefitting several migrating and breeding bird species. Amphibians would also benefit and a specific target of the project was to increase the population of natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita, formerly Bufo calamita) by 5-10 times. Results The CONNECT HABITATS project carried out its planned actions resulting in the favourable conservation of the designated habitat nature types. It was able to purchase 25 ha of neighbouring arable land and develop around 20 ha of this area as dry grassland. The remaining 5 ha was converted into wetland. In addition, the project succeeded in improving grazing facilities of existing nature areas, as well as introducing grazing practices on purchased areas to support development of dry grassland. One significant long-term impact is the increase of potential area that can develop into dry grasslands. On a 1.5 ha area of high quality habitat, bushes and trees were cleared, while the creation of wetlands (and subsequent decrease in agricultural activities) helped reduce eutrophication of coastal lagoons by stemming the outflow of nutrients. Project actions also led to the improvement and creation of new biotopes for natterjack toad (Bufo calamita). Two islets were formed in the coastal lagoon to improve breeding conditions for wading birds. Moreover, an extended recreational pathway was created and information boards erected. However, the project actions did not lead to the reappearance of the petrifying spring (7220) as foreseen. The spring had disappeared earlier following alterations to the area’s hydrology. It was expected that it would reappear once the hydrology was restored but this did not happen during the project time. Nevertheless, it is still thought to be possible during the coming years. The project has much demonstration value, showing how public authorities can work with NGOs to reach to goals set in a Natura 2000 management plan. It demonstrated how an international conservation programme can be implemented on a local level. Two other LIFE projects – LIFE10 NAT/DK/000099 and LIFE11 NAT/DK/000894 – have followed the model pioneered by the CONNECT HABITATS project. Follow-up activities are still required and a management plan was produced during project and which is also outlined in the After LIFE Conservation Plan. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).