Background Habitats in the Łupawa river and its floodplain in the Słowiński national park are being impacted due to river regulation, eutrophication of oxbow lakes, and disturbance of natural fluvial processes in shallow water riverbeds, all of which degrade areas where lamprey and other migratory fish spawn. A dam and power plant in Smołdzino also make fish migrations to upper river areas practically impossible. Furthermore, there is a need to restore nesting habitats of migratory bird species listed in Annex I and II of the Birds Directive; in particular, the polders around Lake Gardno require annual mowing and the elimination of predatory American mink. Low awareness among the local community on the quality and importance of their surrounding natural heritage is reflected in poaching, walking off designated trails, habitat destruction, and pollution. The unmanaged impact of tourists and birdwatchers is an additional threat to the Gardno polders. Objectives The LIFENaturaSlowinskaPL project aims to modernise the drainage system of the Łupawa river floodplain to help regulate water levels, depending on the habitat needs of fish and birds in the Słowiński national park. Specific project objectives include: Clearing the Łupawa river wildlife corridor for migrating fish, including the construction of a fish ladder to negotiate the dam at the hydroelectric power plant in Smołdzino; Improving natural fluvial processes in distinctive habitats of the Łupawa river valley, along a 2.3 km long river section; and Developing appropriate habitats to ensure effective protection of wetland birds. Expected results: Water regime adapted to wetland birds and their needs (360 ha); Meadows (51 ha) periodically flooded by the Gardno Lake waters; Restoration of seven oxbow lakes in the Łupawa river valley; Restoration of lowland and sub-montane (in the upper course) river with Batrachion vegetation communities (along a section of 2.3 km) and a natural floodplain of the Łupawa river (20 ha) with typical vegetation, including priority alder-ash riparian forest; Ecological corridor of the Łupawa river ecosystem cleared for lampreys and other migratory fish (at least five species migrating for reproductive purposes); Increased environmental awareness of at least 1 000 inhabitants concerning Natura 2000 network sites (Ostoja Słowińska and Pobrzeże Słowińskie), and dissemination information about the project and the sites reaching 6 000 people; and A limiting of the visitor impact on 360 ha of the Gardno polders, through the construction of an observation platform with an educational chart.