Background Located in a bog region north of Salzburg, the Weidmoos has evolved during the last 20 years to a high-quality "second-hand" habitat. Once a former industrial peat extraction site, it has now turned into a paradise for over 100 bird species, thanks to its fragmented morphological structure with a mosaic of numerous water bodies, vegetation-free areas, several succession phases and spontaneous and planted mixed forest patches. Most prominent are the 45 breeding pairs of the bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) – one of the largest breeding populations in Austria - but many more Annex I bird species are breeding or hibernating here: marsh and hen harrier (Circus aeruginosus and C. cyaneus), spotted crake (Porzana porzana), little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), ruff (Philomachus pugnax) and wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola). However, without recurring management this semi-open site would rapidly turn into a wooded landscape, losing its special habitat mix so attractive to a range of bird species. Growing recreational pressure on this 120 ha site, and creeping degeneration because of changed farming practices, were further jeopardising the future of the Weidmoos. Objectives The LIFE-Nature project sought to maintain and optimise the breeding, resting and wintering areas of birds at Weidmoos and increase acceptance of the SPA among the local population. These objectives were helped by the fact that one of the project partners is an association, set up by hunters, landowners and mayors, to promote the Weidmoos as a local heritage. Many of the bird species in the Weidmoos need an open landscape with areas of wetland and standing water. Specific actions were carried out to conserve and recreate these landscape elements in the Weidmoos. Results The project achieved all of its objectives. Moreover, some additional measures were implemented which have been financed with external funds. Environmental surveys and monitoring programmes helped the project team to better understand the nutritional balance of the bog, and also enabled the effects of dam construction measures on the water quality to be monitored. The existing management plan was used as a basis for drawing up detailed proposals for the LIFE project’s conservation measures. Key habitat restoration work involved the closure of drainage ditches and the construction of dams, both of which helped to prevent the area drying out and degenerating into woodland. Experimental management of wet meadows, reed beds, bare land and bushy areas were also undertaken to optimise procedures for maintaining habitats over the entire SPA. In addition to the 80 ha acquired before the start of the project, 22 ha of former peat extraction sites were purchased using LIFE funds and the right of use was also be acquired for a further 16 ha. Some 45 small dams were constructed and landscape modelling was undertaken to hold the water on site. The result is a more open landscape, interspersed with standing water and wetlands, that provides a better habitat for birdlife. Ongoing maintenance plans were developed to sustain the conservation measures demonstrated during the LIFE project such as: ensuring the availability of vegetation-free areas (re-using the tracked excavators originally used in peat cutting) since these are important for the bluethroats; maintaining wetland meadows and reed-beds by regular managed mowing to prevent the wetland meadows and reed-beds becoming overgrown; and regular pruning or felling of individual trees and bushes to safeguard the optimal mix of tree cover and shrubs. This ongoing maintenance is considered particularly important for the peripheral areas of the Weidmoos which are insufficiently irrigated or not irrigated at all. Visitor pressure was managed by constructing facilities to encourage people into the southern Weidmoos and so leave the other parts of the SAC free from human disturbance. This was achieved by constructing a new 1.5km themed footpath, a bog platform at the peat cutting site, bird observation hides, a 12-metre-high viewing tower and a former peat-workers’ hut was converted into an information centre. Interpretation materials were provided throughout the visitor areas to raise awareness about the ecology and associated conservation actions. The project carried out good public relations work with several ‘bog events’, school projects and various press articles. Cooperation between the project participants - a nature conservation administration, two communities and a local NGO - is considered exemplary by the LIFE Programme monitoring team, who have highlighted the project as a best-practice example of incorporating stakeholders and achieving acceptance by local people. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).