Background The project area is located in the Lower Isar Valley in Bavaria, Germany. It covers 699 ha, about 31 km of the river Isar as well as the outstanding alluvial forest and alluvial island system between Loiching and Ettling in the county of Dingolfing-Landau. The river Isar, via the Danube, connects the alpine region with Eastern Europe and therefore plays a very important role in the bio-geographical habitat network, especially for wetland, peatland and dry habitats. The original character of the alpine and pre-alpine river Isar, however, has changed considerably. Large-scale modifications to the river have been made to meet the demands of flood protection, energy production and the intensification of land use. The ecological function of the river, as well as the alluvial floodplains and the natural dynamics of the alluvial floodplains, have declined significantly. Multiple damming of the river bed has moreover created migration barriers for a range of species while also preventing the transportation of sediment. Former structures, habitats or species that were characteristic of this area have now disappeared or are highly endangered. Objectives The main aim of the project LIFE Flusserlebnis Isar is to improve the habitats at the Isar valley through restoration measures focused on the River Isar and specific tributaries, and by optimising the habitat conditions in the alluvial areas. It will focus on demonstrating scientific and economic synergies created through close cooperation between water management and nature conservation authorities. Specific project aims are to: Restore the river banks of the Isar and its tributaries to improve river dynamics and habitat functions for organisms living in running watercourses; Optimise, increase and connect soft- and hardwood alluvial forests with typical alluvial water bodies, especially in areas of restored river banks; Extension and connection of important dry habitats such as alluvial islands; Protection of seven habitat types listed in Annex I of the Habitat Directive, including two priority ones, and seven species in Annex II of the Habitat Directive as well as the improvement of their conservation status; and To raise awareness among the public and land users of Natura 2000, the LIFE nature project with its valuable habitat types and species as well as the importance of complex alluvial systems for biodiversity. Expected results: Purchase of 2.8 ha of agricultural and forestry land; Some 1 650 m of restored, structured river banks, 1 500 m river banks with removed bank enforcement, 3 050 m new gravel and sand banks, and 4 490 m structured river banks; An increase of the populations of huchen (Hucho hucho), asp (Aspius aspius), streber (Zingel streber), pigo (Rutilus pigus) and white-finned gudgeon (Gobio albipinnatus); Some 2 600 m of semi-natural and ecologically improved alluvial water bodies (habitat type 3150) and improved habitats for the European weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis); A new river branch of the Isar of 420m length and 20 new or optimised permanently flooded alluvial water bodies (habitat type 3150); Some 28 new small ephemeral water bodies and improved habitats and conservation status for yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata); Some 49 ha of layered, richly structured and semi-natural soft- and hardwood alluvial forests, and improved conservation status and connectivity for the habitat types alluvial forests (91E0*) and riparian mixed forest (91F0); Some 1.4 ha of new semi-natural dry grasslands (6210, 6210*) and 8.4 ha of lowland hay meadows (6510), improved connectivity for dry habitats, protection of the favourable conservation status of habitat types 6210, 6210* and an improved conservation status of habitat type 6510; Some 41 newly created small structures, and improved habitat diversity and conservation status of habitat types 6210, 6210*, 6430, 91E0*, 91F0; Three installed nesting aids for large birds, 60 nesting aids for cave nesting birds and bats, and improved habitat diversity of habitat types 91E0*, 91F0; Three thousand visitors annually using the different types of information available as well as the nature trail; and Significant improvement of the knowledge of Natura 2000 protection sites, greater acceptance of conservation measures and the positive perception of the project sites across the region and elsewhere.