Background The Demer is an 85 km long river that runs through the Belgian provinces of Limburg and Vlaams Brabant. The project area is a broad and flat inland ‘river polder’ hosting vegetation that is unique within the Atlantic biogeographic region. The Demer Valley is particularly important for several plant and bird species of Community importance that require open areas with floodplain dynamics and marshland. A combination of factors – hydrological imbalance, fragmented habitats, disturbance caused by recreational visitors and inbreeding – has contributed to these species currently having an unfavourable conservation status. Objectives The overall objective of the LIFE Delta project is to establish sustainable populations of the threatened, target species within the project area, and thus to create genuine added-value to the Natura 2000 network of sites. There is considerable ecological potential for nature restoration within the sites. To combat the threats to the target species, the specific project actions will include: Land acquisition and large-scale improvements to and/or extension of habitats; An innovative eco-hydrological study; Genetic research of target species; Creating recreational zones to avoid habitat and species disturbance; and Encouraging cooperation and networking. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: Development of flood-meadow habitats of good structure to support the endangered plant species, creeping marshwort (Apium repens), and to extend the existing population by adding two more populations of >500 and 150-500 specimens respectively; Improved conservation status of the target habitats favoured by the Marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus), with three breeding pairs expected; Creation of 11 ha of transition mires and bogs habitat and 8 ha of reed land in transition to meadows, together with improvements to 60 ha of existing habitat. The project expects to have five breeding pairs of spotted crake (Porzana porzana) in these habitats; Restoration of 12 ha of shallow lakes. The aim here is to create a sustainable population of floating water-plantain (Luronium natans) on an area of more than 50 m² and two smaller areas of 5-50 m²; Good quality grassland restoration - resulting in 40 ha of suitable habitat for the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) with an expansion from one to four breeding pairs; Creation of three ponds offering good potential to develop the great-crested newt (Triturus cristatus) population by 30-50 individuals; Development of 28 ha of reed beds, together with 8.2 km of reed beds in re-channelled ditches – together offering good prospects for three pairs of Eurasian bittern (Botaurus stellaris), and an extension from one to seven breeding pairs of little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus). The bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) is also expected to flourish with at least 10 breeding pairs; Restoration of 62 ha of wet meadow habitat in open grassland areas, subject to improved hydrological quality. This newly restored area will encourage 7-23 breeding pairs of corncrake (Crex crex); and Restoration of 9 km of ditches and the creation of 4 ha of lagoons. These combined with hydrological measures should lead to 7 ha of suitable habitat for the weather loach (Misgurnus fossilis), which as a result could see a population growth of 4 500 to 27 000 individuals. Other (European) threatened species are also expected to benefit from these measures. As well as making a considerable contribution to improving the conservation status of the Natura 2000 network of sites within the polder area, the project will contribute to the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.