Background The island of Hoeksche Waard in the south-west of the Netherlands contains three pSCIs: Haringvliet, Hollandsch Diep and Oude Maas. All three are important areas for root vole (Microtus oeconomus subsp. arenicola). This subspecies is endemic to the low-lying parts of the Netherlands. It is estimated to be a relic of the Ice Age and is found in several scattered subpopulations that are in the process of extinction. The main threats to the population are fragmentation, isolation, and loss of habitat, in part due to unfavourable site management and water management. The population in pSCI Oude Maas is estimated to be 0.2-0.5% of the Delta meta-population in south-west Holland. This population is estimated to be around 45-50% of the total Dutch population. The Hoeksche Waard, where the present project Vlietmonding is focused, will provide an ecological network of stepping stones and corridors along ancient creeks in the west and middle of the island. The planned network connects all three pSCIs mentioned above. By this connection the isolation of the subpopulations of the root voles living in and around the Hoeksche Waard will be lifted. The implementation of this network began in 2004 and will be finished in 2009. Other important objectives of the Hoeksche Waard Vlietproject are to increase the water storage capacity, to improve the surface water quality, to increase the natural and landscape values and to improve accessibility and visibility of these values. The project has the full commitment from all competent authorities as well as farmers and nature conservationists. Objectives The aim of the project Vlietmonding was to create an important “stepping stone” of 13 ha of land on the south bank of the river Oude Maas. The project area lies within the dykes, not outside like the adjacent pSCI Oude Maas. It would directly increase the area by around 8% of optimal and suitable habitat for the root vole. More importantly, the stepping stone would enable the relatively isolated subpopulation of the root vole living along the banks of the river Oude Maas to enter the Hoeksche Waard island and to connect the other isolated subpopulations in Haringvliet, Hollandsch Diep and Groote Gat, thus strongly reducing fragmentation and isolation. The project area would be included in pSCI Oude Maas. Following land purchase, two patches of agricultural land along the Vliet creek mouth would be converted into a nature reserve, with a mosaic of wet and dry parts. A regime of water management would be implemented in accordance with the specific requirements of the root vole, allowing for higher dynamics in water levels, wetter circumstances in general and in winter in particular. The nutritious soil of the existing agricultural areas would be taken away. Dikes, culverts, dams and ditches would be constructed to retain the water. The management of the vegetation would be very extensive, just enough to create optimal habitat for the root vole. Information would be given to stakeholders and the general public to win support. Results Land purchase negotiations, a pre-condition to make the work foreseen in the project sustainable, were unfortunately not successfully concluded. It became clear that, although the project measures are still considered of ecological relevance, the reduced area was not considered large enough to support a sustainable population of the root vole. Therefore, no restoration measures were carried out and the project was terminated by the European Commision. The activities undertaken by the LIFE project were preparatory actions and communication.