Background The project area covers 3 950 ha of the cross-border "Grenspark De Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide" nature reserve, which extends over the Dutch-Belgian border (and comprises 6 000 ha in total). The reserve contains continental dunes, dry and wet heath, ponds and woods. Human impact, such as nutrient enrichment of the soil, afforestation and soil desiccation, combined with a lack of nature management, disturbance by recreation and spread of invasive alien species has led to degradation of the reserve’s habitats. A previous LIFE project, HELA, targeted habitat improvements covering 460 ha in the reserve. This new project will build on the results of HELA and it will be aligned with a new long-term (2014-2029) management plan for the reserve. Objectives The project’s main objectives focus on restoring and developing a number degraded habitats, including dune grasslands, dry and wet heaths and freshwater habitats. Project actions also seek to remove invasive alien species (Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra, Rhododendron ponticum) from habitats including those that support oak woods hosting Quercus robur. Habitat restoration measures are planned to benefit numbers of breeding birds listed in the Birds Directive annexes (e.g. European nightjar, treelark, black woodpecker and honey buzzard). Numbers and distribution of other species are also expected to benefit from the project. These include the smooth snake, natterjack toad, and crested Newt. A variety of nationally-endangered species (e.g. dragonflies, butterflies, beetles and moths) will benefit as well. Expected results: Anticipated outcomes from this project’s large-scale restoration and sustainable management of Annex I habitats include improvements to: 56 ha of inland dune with Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands in mosaic with dry heaths with Calluna and Genista; 30 ha of oligotrophic waters of sandy plains and oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters; 33 ha of a mosaic northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix and depressions on peat substrate of the Rhynchosporion; and 57 ha of a mosaic of several types of heathland habitats e.g. European dry heaths, dry sand heaths with Calluna and Genista and northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix. Other results from project activity within an area of 60 ha will see the removal of invasive alien species Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra and Rhododendron ponticum and to prevent their further expansion on sandy plains. Outcomes of the habitat restoration works are expected to: Increase number of breeding pairs of several Birds Directive species; Increase number and distribution of the smooth snake, the natterjack toad and the crested newt, as well as a wide range of nationally endangered species (e.g. dragonflies, butterflies, beetles and moths); Improve water quality, following the implementation of a water purification plant; Increase awareness among technical stakeholders and the general public about the area; Involve volunteers in site management; and Increase the socio-economic potential of the site.