Background The project aims to restore a mosaic of wetland habitats in the upper north region of Luxembourg, known as "Eisleck". This region is characterised by a high plateau landscape, reaching 560 metres in altitude, and a network of small rivers and wetlands. The wetland habitat types are essential for three especially valuable EU species: - The violet copper (Lycaena helle), a small butterfly, found in Luxemburg only in the wetlands of Eisleck, the populations being rather small and existing only in isolated locations; - The whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), a migrating bird of the family of the Muscicapidae; and - The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) a carnivorous passerine, or perching, bird species of the shrike family Laniidae. The habitats and the associated target species suffer from the modern development of an intensive rural landscape. Objectives The project’s overall objective is to restore the mosaic of wetland habitats in Eislek to improve the conservation status of the three target species, namely the violet copper butterfly and the bird species whinchat and red-backed shrike. This goal will be achieved through: Land purchase; Various habitat restoration actions including the restoration of abandoned wetlands, drained wetlands and of conifer plantations on wetlands; and The design and adoption of a management plan for the pastures and meadows situated in the core project areas of the 11 Natura 2000 sites in the region. Expected results: An overall improvement in the conservation status of the target species within the project area of 11 Natura 2000 sites. This will be achieved through the establishment of a systematic inventory of the natural habitats of the three target species, and an appropriate management plan for pasture and meadows for 135 ha of protected parcels of land. The estimated quantified achievements of the practical conservation actions are: Land acquisition (30 ha); Restoration of abandoned wetlands (10 ha); Restoration of drained wetlands (15 ha of restored floodplains, 1.8 km of re-naturalised rivers, 500 m of drainage removed or closed); Restoration of conifer plantation on wetlands and spruce removal areas (5 ha removed and 15 ha restored); Re-development of Polygonum bistorta-meadows and abandoned Filipendula ulmaria meadows (10 ha); Planting of shrubs (7 000 plants); Improvement of the wetland pastures through the acquisition of related infrastructure (1 300 m of fences, five drinking troughs, five livestock river crossings and one winter shed); Extensification through biodiversity measures and consultation with farmers (50 ha of biodiversity and agro-environmental contracts); Increased collaboration between farmers and nature conservationists through consultation with 50 farms working on the project sites, at least four information sessions, five reports in the specialist press and four field trips; and Increased public awareness about the project’s goals via various dissemination and awareness-raising activities (e.g., a project website, 1 500 flyers, four information boards, 10 guided excursions, six working camps, a discovery trail and at least 20 press articles); The actions beneficial to the three target species will undoubtedly also have positive impacts on other endangered species associated with the mosaic of habitats that will be improved, e.g. the bog fritillary (Boloria eunomia) and small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) butterflies and the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor).