Background From a European perspective, the Bavarian Forest national park is of major importance for the preservation of biological diversity and has been identified as one of 30 hot spots of biological diversity in Germany. An important attraction for visitors, the national park is also of great significance for tourism. Despite the implementation of a consistent conservation strategy, however, there are problems in former land use areas that threaten valuable habitats and species. Particularly adversely affected are rivers and streams, bogs and the rare mountain pastures, known locally as the “Schachten”. The project area of 24 206 ha, along the Bavarian-Bohemian massif of the Moldanubian, covers most of the national park. It features extensive semi-natural woodland crossed by numerous mountainous rivers, bogs and small clearings. Objectives The project’s overall objective is to make an important contribution to the Natura 2000 network by improving habitat connectivity and characteristic species of this site. A main aim is to restore several rivers and streams, by establishing dynamic processes and removing obstacles that hinder the migration of aquatic fauna. Bog restoration, notably by restoring natural water tables is a second focal point. Innovative grazing regimes will also be tested for the conservation of pastures on woodland clearings (“Schachten”) and their typical habitats. The project will target improvements in conservation status of nine habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive, three Annex II-listed species, as well as the habitats of the black stork (Annex I, Birds Directive). Awareness-raising activities will also be carried out to gain support and understanding for Natura 2000 areas and of the need for such conservation actions, among local people and visitors. Specific actions: Removal of bank reinforcements and lowering of lowland along rivers to strengthen river dynamics and help restore natural floodplains Partial dismantling and/or relocation of hiking and forestry trails in floodplains, or the construction of pedestrian overpasses, to strengthen dynamic processes; Creation of spawning ponds for amphibians to improve the habitat quality for the black stork (Ciconia nigra); Replacement of manmade obstacles on streams to enable free movements of aquatic organisms, notably for the bullhead (Cottus gobio) and the European otter (Lutra lutra); Land-purchase and completion of restoration actions in the “Großer Filz/Klosterfilz” bog by closing draining ditches and allowing natural succession. (This will also help secure and improve populations of the priority ground beetle - Carabus menetriesi pacholei); Hydrological restoration of raised bogs by closing draining ditches and shrub removal; Water table restoration in bog woodland and spruce forests by closing drainage ditches; Model grazing to be tested on one former mountain pasture to conserve the rare grasslands and mountain hay meadows; Information actions targeting land-users and visitors about the Natura 2000 network and the project will be carried out, e. g. through brochures, flyers, the internet, videos, a touring exhibition, information points, a 3D film, and multi-media guides; and Operation of guided tours, excursions, symposia, a LIFE-rally and other public events to highlight the project and the Natura 2000 network in the region. Expected results: • Restoration of natural river dynamics on a length of more than 5 km; • Restoration of natural contact zones between rivers and floodplain on 4.5 ha, improvement of conservation status and development of habitat types 9410 and 91D0*; • Development of more than 11 km of streams without obstacles for animal movement, thereby strengthening the populations of bullhead and the European otter; • Improvement of food supply for the black stork; • Indirect improvement and development of bog habitat types 91D0*, 9410, 7140, 6410 on more than 30 ha that are in contact with rivers and streams by hydrological improvements; • Removal of obstacles on 20 locations along small streams with pipe culverts; • Purchase of 6.5 ha (focal and bordering plots) in the “Grosses Filz/Klosterfilz” bog for restoration; • Conservation of the habitat of the ground beetle (Carabus menetriesi pacholei*);