Background Established in 1997, Kemeri National Park was one of Latvia's first national parks. It contains 380 km² of diverse habitats including a number of EU importance such as bog woodland, black alder swamps, raised bogs (including one of the largest intact examples of such a habitat type in Europe), rich fens, coastal dunes etc. Altogether some 30 habitat types listed in the Habitats Directive and Bern Convention are found here. Protected birds like Botaurus stellaris (12-15 booming males) and Aquila pomarina (8-15 pairs) have also been recorded within the Park. Threats had emerged to the conservation status of the habitats and species. These were linked to land use changes which had drained wetland environments and many of the hay meadows were becoming increasingly overgrown following the abandonment of traditional agricultural practices by local farmers. Urbanisation and visitor pressure were also noted as representing ongoing problems for the Park’s nature assets. Objectives The main objective of the LIFE project involved helping to implement a pre-prepared management plan. Land acquisition was a priority for the project which aimed to purchase around 730 ha of meadows and restore 450 ha of the natural flood plain meadows. Another key goal was to identify mechanisms for mainstreaming the LIFE project’s methodology on a long-term basis. Results The project achieved its objectives and provided useful capacity building experience for Latvian authorities involved in nature conservation work. Drainage ditches in the Lielais Kemeri bog were blocked to restore more natural hydrological flows. Engineering works at a sluice gate system constructed the country’s first artificial fish migration infrastructure. Introducing livestock to graze the meadows by river Slampe was a first step in shifting to away from mechanised hay-making methods towards self-sustainable meadow management in Ķemeri national park. Many useful lessons were learnt during the forging of closer cooperation between landowners, farmers and local communities. Outcomes here led to more land in the park being managed from a conservation perspective. Project processes and results also provided valuable learning experiences for Latvian nature bodies as well as education services. Schools were encouraged to visit and study the project works as part of their curriculum. This included involving pupils in part of the project’s environmental monitoring work (along stretches of the restored river Slampe initia). Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).