Background Strategically located in the centre of the Ardennes, between other natural areas with similar ecosystems, the ca 10,000 ha plateau of Saint-Hubert formerly consisted of a complex of beech forests, bog woodlands, alder forests, transition mires and raised bogs with interesting fringe vegetations along the watercourses. However, most of the area's natural wetlands had disappeared due to spruce afforestation. Because of the difficult soil conditions, this afforestation effort did not prove very successful and was not sustainable. It had caused a number of problems in relation to the soil structure, hydrology and the availability of suitable vegetation for browsing deer, icons of this forest (where Saint Hubert was miraculously converted). Purple moor-grass had also begun to invade the open areas as the wetlands dried up. Nevertheless, these degraded forests offered a great potential for nature conservation and as detailed information on biodiversity, soils, ownership structure and the socio-economic context already existed, the local hunters’ association, in collaboration with the Wallonian (regional) authorities, decided to develop a master plan to restore this area. Objectives The overall objective of the project was the restoration of peatland and wetland habitats in a limited area of the Saint Hubert Plateau. Priority work areas of 842 ha with remnants of peat bogs, peaty moors, or other humid habitats (wet heathlands, sphagnum birch woods) were identified. Many of these areas had been planted with spruces since the second half of the nineteenth century and the biodiversity characteristic of peat habitats had therefore largely decreased. The first action was to identify the most suitable 300 ha where spruce plantations would be abandoned in order to restore the natural habitats. Up to 50 ha of land were to be bought and at least 150 ha were to be restored by cutting and exporting trees and by restoring a more natural water regime (filling drains, building dikes and ponds etc). Tree and purple moor-grass colonisation was to be controlled by cutting young trees and, above all, by ovine grazing (400 sheep), which was to be introduced on at least 100 ha of restored land. An appropriate infrastructure was to be put in place (sheepfold, stationary and mobile enclosures) to support intensive grazing (essentially ovine but also bovine). The project was to be a model for similar restoration efforts in the other high plateau of the Ardennes region. The public awareness-raising activities were to generate support for the conservation initiatives. The beneficiary intended to network and disseminate information about the project to other wetlands in Europe where inappropriate forestry has caused similar conservation problems. Results The project was successful and largely surpassed what was planned at the outset for several of the actions. Although the land covered by the project belonged to very different owners (the Walloon region - 20%, 9 different communes - 63% and about fifteen private owners- 17%), the local hunters’ association, which was well known and had a good reputation in the local area, was quickly able to gain support for its initiatives. Key results of the project are as follows: - 472 ha of peatlands / wetlands restored by removing conifers (significantly more than the 150 ha originally foreseen) - 623,69 ha placed under natural reserve protection (RND) - 81 kilometres of drains neutralized - 24 large ponds and 2449 small ponds dug - 15,5 kilometres of mineral dikes built - 690 metres of sheet piling laid - 110 ha grazed - 3,43 ha of peatmoss seed dispersal - 14,87 ha of cotton grass planted - 85,21 ha of leafy habitats created (Birch, Sorbus aucuparia, oaks) - 6,72 ha of willow (Salix aurita) reproduced from over 15 000 cuttings - 3 observation towers built - 13 educational panels installed - a 13 minute documentary film "From spruce to peat bogs" traces the whole development of the project (see "read more" section) Grazing was successfully introduced on 110 ha of land (475 sheep). Three races were chosen for their hardiness: Mules (from Scotland), roux ardennais (local race) and Heidschnuncken (or heather sheep from Germany). Races of rustic cows (Galloway) were also introduced on several sites. A sheepfold was constructed along with stationary enclosures (72 ha) and mobile enclosures. Access to incentive schemes for extensive farm practices, the preservation of a local race (roux ardennais) and promotion of organic farming (Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992) should enable these activities to become self-supporting in the future. A unique Nature State Reserve (Réserve Naturelle Domaniale, la « RND du Plateau de Saint-Hubert »), along with detailed management plans, was created on 623,69 ha. This is the largest nature reserve established in the Wallon region in the past twenty years. An advisory Management Committee, formed by scientists, advises the Forestry administration for the day to day management of the RND. The pluridisciplinary nature of this committee will guarantee a global vision for the management of the reserve. To follow the impact of the project on a long term basis, monitoring indicators were identified and put in place, these include: inventory of plant species, peak listening periods of the avifauna, inventory of butterflies and dragonflies, sampling of excrements of stag species, frequentation of stag species on LIFE sites. A hydrological study, carried out by the Agronomics faculty of Gembloux, should provide some information about the role of peat habitats in the regulation of water. The project provided a successful model for a number of other LIFE Nature projects in Wallonia targeting the restoration of peatlands / wetlands. Finally, a success story was reported in November 2007: flocks of Common Cranes (Grus grus), returned to the Domaniale de Saint-Michel forest on the St Hubert plateau. This was the first proven migratory stops of the crane to occur here, which is a great indication that the wetland restoration activities have worked. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section). This project has been selected as one of the 26 "Best" LIFE Nature projects in 2007-2008.