Background The lakes of Cheimaditida and Zazari (1.9 km2 and 9,5 km2 respectively) are part of a wetland system which includes two other lakes (Petron and Vegoritida). The region hosts seven habitats types listed in the Habitats Directive, as well as a large number of rare birds, like Pelecanus crispus, Botaurus stellaris, Aythya nyroca, Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Ardea purpurea and Ixobrychus minutus. In the 1970s, a number of drainage projects were carried out for agricultural purposes, reducing the surface area of lake Cheimaditida to its present size. Agricultural activities around the lakes continue to be one of the main causes for the ecosystem's degradation (pollution of surface water and ground water, excess-pumping of water, clearing of forests, landfill, etc.). Other threats are the silting-up of the lake, the lack of integrated management of water resources in the level of the catchment basin, and the low appreciation of the natural environment from local inhabitants. Objectives The purpose of the project is to maintain and restore the considerable ecological value of the region by protecting the seven habitat types and the five bird species. The specific objectives of the project are to restore the suitable abiotic conditions in the two lakes, to restore the reed beds and the wet meadows, and to restore the priority habitat type of riparian forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior. The basic activities required to achieve these objectives are: making the existing dam on lake Cheimaditida higher and more watertight, introducing a water monitoring system, compensating farmers for converting farmland into wet meadows, managing reed beds, creating artificial islands for nesting birds, establishing new wet meadows and management of both new and existing wet meadows, monitoring bird populations and their habitats, planting and fencing off Alnus glutinosa, operating an information centre, and organising other public awareness activities.