Background The subsites of this project are of considerable ecological interest, since they are located on the transition between an aapa mire zone and a raised bog zone - within the EU, aapa mires are found only in Finland and Sweden. In addition, the project area includes bog woodlands and boreal forests, flying squirrels (Pteromys volans)and otter (Lutra lutra). This LIFE project is addressing a number of problems: drainage of bogs and mires; the scarcity of deadwood and the paucity of broad-leaved deciduous trees in boreal virgin forests; the invasion of non-native tree species; the clearing of rapids for log-floating; erosion of terrain; and a general lack of awareness concerning the values of Natura 2000 areas. Objectives The project would prepare two long-term management plans and six restoration plans, the implementation of which would begin during the project period. Some 480 ha of mires and bogs will be restored by blocking drainage ditches, and 180 ha of forests would be improved by increasing deadwood, for example by blowing up trees and wide-spread burning. In addition, 17 rapids would be restored by returning rocks from the embankments to the riverbed. In order to prevent and rectify erosion damage, hiking routes would be redirected to areas that can better withstand erosion, and causeways would be constructed. The project would acquire 1 340 ha of land in order to be able to carry out this restoration work. A permanent display, presenting the Natura 2000 network, would be constructed at Metsäkartanon. Environmental education is an important part of the project, which would produce a LIFE computer game incorporating the lessons of the restoration work. The project also aimed to improve methods of monitoring the restoration of mires. Results The project reached nearly all of its objectives: Thirteen restoration plans for mires, forests and the removal of unnecessary forest roads were drawn up and were almost completely implemented during the project; With the involvement of the local community, management plans were elaborated for länne and Löytynsuo-Maamonsuo; Some 604 ha of mires were restored by filling ditches, removing trees and building dams, enhancing the favourable conservation status of the aapa mires and bog woodlands; A total of 253.8 ha of forest was restored by increasing the amount of dead and decaying wood. Methods used to enhance the conservation status of the boreal forests included controlled burning and explosions to create small openings; Fifteen rapids were restored, enhancing the conservation status of natural rivers and watercourses; Some 3.5 km of forest roads were removed and landscaped to end their detrimental effects on the water condition of the mires; New nature trails, hiking routes, information points and resting sites were constructed by the project; All essential restoration actions in Natura 2000 areas in Rautavaara were completed during the course of the LIFE Nature project; The project disseminated its actions widely, holding several press conferences and field visits, which generated 92 examples of media coverage; high-quality site and nature trail brochures were also published. The project organised an environmental education camp that was attended by 4 200 pupils and 500 adults. One innovative project action was the creation of a computer game on the life cycle of a flying squirrel, which is available on the project website; Monitoring of mire vegetation, mire birds, bottom fauna and algae of rapids and insects in controlled burned areas is continuing after LIFE.