Background Böddi-szék, located in the central part of the Kiskunság national park, is one of the park’s Pannonic sodic lakes (with high concentrations of sodium carbonate). It is a priority habitat of the EU Habitats Directive and is also protected at national level. The extent of its area is significant, as it constitutes 18% of this total habitat type in Hungary. Unfortunately, however, the construction of a main canal and ditches for drainage has caused significant damage to the lake: the canal's high water has led to water seeping through the dam and flowing along drainage ditches into the lakebed. Eutrophication and spreading marsh vegetation are also posing a considerable threat to the other habitats and species, notably nesting birds, associated with this special wetland. Additionally, the drainage canal has caused serious habitat fragmentation, whilst changing farming practices have meant an insufficient number of grazing animals in the area. Objectives The overall objective of the ‘LIFE sodic wetlands’ project is to restore the original water dynamics and natural habitats of the Böddi-szék Pannonic sodic lake and its catchment area, which is one of the most important examples of this priority wetland habitat type in the Carpathian Basin. Another aim is to increase the habitat management activities on the project site to an ecologically-sustainable level. During the project implementation, scientific monitoring will be carried out, applying the ecological criteria system and reference results of an earlier Hungarian LIFE project (LIFE07 NAT/H/000324). A further project goal is to draw the attention of local people to the importance of sodic areas at European level, with special emphasis on the dynamism of the ecological system of sodic wetlands; awareness-raising actions will highlight the lakes' vulnerability and the importance of agricultural practices to their long-term conservation. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results: Elimination of detrimental factors and implementation of sustainable management to improve biodiversity on an area totalling 2 345 ha; Moving of the drainage canal away from the Pannonic sodic lakebed and elimination and filling-in of a 5.9 km section of former canal and its 15 km-long drainage system (canals and ditches); Restoration of the natural water balance – the open water surface of the periodically flooded Pannonic sodic lake will significantly increase (by 120%) from the current 180 ha to 400 ha; A 330 ha increase in grazed areas, which will help ensure the long-term conservation of endangered habitats; Construction of infrastructure and livestock purchase (300 native cattle, 300 sheep and 50 donkeys) – this will contribute to the management and long-term conservation of the most valuable micro-habitats on 810 ha; Conversion of 44 ha of farmland into grassland and elimination of non-native and invasive plants, thus diminishing fragmentation, disturbance and contamination caused by intensive agricultural methods; An increase of 50% of the most endangered sub-types of the priority habitat-type through the project actions and also an expected 20% growth of the Annex I (Birds Directive) nesting species related to the sodic wetlands; and Wide dissemination of the project results – including a media campaign, project branding materials, education, and a study highlighting the project’s socio-economic impact.