Background The Zuiderkempen are situated on the border between the sandy Kempen and the loess country of central Belgium. Calcareous water from the surrounding Tertiary hills reaches the surface here in a complex of sandy and loamy soils, resulting in a great diversity of micro-biotopes. Artesian pressure has created a series of wetlands: alkaline bogs (Caricetum lasiocarpae), wet grasslands (Eu-Molinia) and marshy woodlands (Alnetum and Fraxinetum). These host one of the main populations of floating water plantain (Luronium natans) in the EU.Away from the artesian springs in the contact zone to the more acidic sandy and loamy soils, there are mat grasslands (Nardetalia) and, on the sandy soils, dry heaths and mesophilic woodlands. For a long time the whole area was used in a traditional and small-scale manner as hay meadows or pasture. However, because of their marginal situation and isolated location, these small agricultural plots became unprofitable in the middle of the 20th century and were afforested (poplars and conifers), drained or used for weekend homes. This resulted in great fragmentation and degradation of the area. Such fragmentation can be fatal: the entire Flemish population of meadow thistle (Circium dissectum) was almost wiped out a few years ago by exceptionally wet weather. Objectives The beneficiary, Natuurpunt, has been carrying out conservation work at both subsites (Langdonken and Het Goor) for some 10 years prior to the LIFE project, and a good start was made to protecting them (management plan, land purchase) under an earlier LIFE-Nature project (LIFE95 NAT/B/000435 Calcareous marshes). During this LIFE-Nature project a hydrological restoration plan was to be drawn up to serve as the basis for future management. Purchase of 50 ha was foreseen to allow larger continuous plots to be hydrologically renovated and fragmented vegetation to be restored. Furthermore, 50 ha of unnatural forest plantation was to be removed (appropriate equipment would be purchased for this task). The layer of leaf litter would be removed or the turf stripped from small plots to allow endangered vegetation to develop. The site could then be hydrologically restored (ditches filled in and silted-up pools dredged) and hay meadow management reinstated. Once the restoration measures are completed, appropriate recurring management was to be carried out by labourers employed by the beneficiary (under community employment schemes) and where possible by agreements with local farmers. Public relations activities (information meetings, brochures) were also planned. Results TThe project collaborated with farmers and engaged numerous volunteers to implement strategies favourable to the further development and sustainable management of the site. An integrated management plan was drawn up, describing the ideal complex of habitat types in the Langdoncken and Goor, based upon the potentialities offered by the terrain, climate and semi-natural land use. This plan formed the basis for land acquisition and management policy. The beneficiary purchased significantly more land than the intended 50 ha. A total of 103 ha were bought during the period of the project, and on 103 ha an improved habitats (specially Nardus grasslands and wet meadows) conservation status was achieved. By clear cutting pine plantations and removing spontaneous vegetation (44 ha), removing pine and popular forest and removing alien species, sod cutting and restoration of hydrology, and start up grazing management on 40 ha. Official recognition of the nature reserve (extended during the Life project) by the Flemish Regional authorities is also an important result of the project. Recognition includes the granting of permits for works, the official legal status of the nature reserve and the opportunities for financial support for the management from the Flemish authorities. The beneficiary has also drawn up an After-LIFE plan. The structure is pragmatic and contains basic information on sources of funding and a table with the main targets for the coming years in terms of effective works in the field (including surfaces and estimation of the budgets). The good collaboration with the farmers and the involvement of numerous dynamic volunteers will ensure further development and sustainable management of the site. The project also demonstrated new technologies, unusual in protected areas, such as an aerial cable to remove trees out of the area without impact for the soils. Awareness-raising activities also have a demonstration value, including the establishment of 40 km of hiking paths, an important step for gaining social acceptance of the protected area.