Background The project area encompasses c. 3 150 ha of the Upper Main valley and includes some of Bavaria’s most species-rich alluvial valleys. Around 200 bird species use the Upper Main valley for breeding and foraging, or for resting during their migration, among them many species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. In addition, a wide range of other species, especially dragonflies and damselflies, butterflies and moths, amphibians, spiders, fish, molluscs and mammals bolster biodiversity in the Upper Main valley. The combination of this rich species mix and the valley’s semi-natural floodplain habitat features contribute to SAC and SPA designations in the Upper Main area, which is also a popular destination for river recreation among local communities and tourists. Balancing the needs of nature conservation with social and economic factors requires integrated approaches that attract support from a wide range of different regional stakeholders, including local and regional government, communities, NGOs, scientific institutions and the general public. Objectives The project’s overall objective is to ensure that the Upper Main valley remains an important corridor for water and wetland habitats and their characteristic species. Such a goal will contribute to the Natura 2000 network and will be achieved by wetland habitat work that targets 40 breeding and 26 migratory bird species listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. These include: Luscinia svecica, Alcedo atthis, Botaurus stellaris, Circus aeruginosus, Sterna hirunda, Charadrius dubius, Porzana porzana, Rallus aquaticus, Ardea purpurea, Egretta alba, Tringa gareola, Ciconia ciconia and Limosa limosa, as well as the meadow birds, Gallinago gallinago and Crex crex. The project will also support habitats for the following species listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive: Castor fiber, Vertigo angustior, Glaucopsyche nausithous, G. teleius, Ophiogomphus cecilia and Misgurnus fossilis. Further activities will help protect, improve and integrate water and floodplain habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Particular attention will be paid to standing, vegetated water bodies (habitat types 3130, 3150), water courses and rivers with vegetation or mud banks (habitat types 3260, 3270), alluvial and riparian forests (habitat types 91E0*, 91F0), lowland hay meadows (habitat type 6510) and hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities (habitat type 6430). Outcomes of these conservation actions will lead to improved and enlarged water and wetland habitats. All works will be carefully co-ordinated to ensure involvement and support from appropriate stakeholders, especially those from the recreation and tourism, fishing and conservation sectors. This integrated approach aims to help achieve operational efficiencies and ensure sustainable benefits for the long term.