Background The protection of habitats and species within the “Puszcza Kampinoska” Natura 2000 site is facilitated by the renaturalisation of areas bought by the state and permanently managed by the Kampinos National Park (KPN) authority. The land purchase programme began in 1975 and continues today with various minor modifications. As soon as land is acquired, KPN begins the renaturalisation activities. This normally includes scientific research, monitoring and implementation of the park's protection plan. Protection measures are determined after evaluating the natural quality of each plot of land and its surroundings. The opinion of the park's Scientific Council is sought and permission is requested from the Minister of the Environment. Objectives The project objectives are as follows: To improve the conservation status of the many important European species found in the park (i.e. these are species protected by national legislation and also listed in the annexes of the Habitats and Birds directives): beaver (Castor fiber), otter (Lutra lutra), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), various amphibians and reptiles, the corncrake (Crex crex), crane (Grus grus), bittern (Botaurus stellaris) and the scarce large blue butterfly (Maculinea teleius) and large copper butterfly (Lycaena dispar); To reduce the pressure of urbanisation on the purchased land; To improve the hydrological condition of marshland areas within the park; To improve the effectiveness of ecological corridors within the park by eliminating strips of privately-owned land (often fenced). This is an especially important measure for the large mammals, as well as reptiles and amphibians; To stop intensive farming activities and the associated use of chemical fertilisers/ pesticides causing groundwater pollution; To increase the park’s CO2 absorption capacity as a result of the growth of biomass in forest ecosystems introduced on former arable land; To eliminate or reduce various threats, including from forest fires, road accidents, poaching, the picking of forest fruits, the destruction of raptor nests and beaver dams, littering, and uncontrolled visits to protected areas; To increase, through awareness raising activities, public acceptance and support for conservation measures aimed at the preservation of the park’s natural resources and, notably, the renaturalisation of land purchased by the state. Expected results: • Renaturalisation of 200 ha of land in the Natura 2000 site; • The implementation of active protection measures (mowing) on about 100 ha, in order to preserve grassland and meadow ecosystems, with natural succession on 80 ha. Another 20 ha will be forested; • The strengthening and extension of the following habitats: Molinietum medioeuropaeum, Arrhenatheretum medioeuropaeum, Carici canescentis and Agrostietum caninae, Tilio-carpinetum, Fraxino-Alnetum and Salici-Populetum; • Elimination of 18 barriers to animal migration; • An increase in the populations of 14 species protected by EU nature directives: Lynx lynx, Castor fiber, Lutra lutra, Botaurus stellaris, Crex crex, Grus grus, Ciconia nigra, Lanius collurio, Sylvia nissoria, Haliaetus albicilla, Aquila pomarina, Circus pygargus, Maculinea teleius, Lycaena dispar; • A decrease in built-up areas and in the size of the potential development area, as well as a decrease in the number of inhabitants; • Increased public awareness of the conservation measures within the Natura 2000 site through the dissemination of information about the project.