Background Europe’s pre-alpine moorlands contain priority habitats like active raised bogs, calcareous fens, bog woodland, and alluvial forests. Land use changes in some of these habitats have had an adverse affect on the habitats’ functionality. For example, peat extraction and drainage can lead to land becoming dry and overgrown. Habitat connectivity can also be disrupted as a result of such land use changes. Objectives The overall aim of this project was to improve the conservation status of priority habitats on pre-alpine moorland in Germany’s Bavaria region. Two Natura 2000 sites: ‘Hochrunstfilze’ and ‘Auer Weidmoos mit Kalten und Kaltenaue’ were targeted for LIFE support to restore active raised bogs, calcareous fens, bog woodland, and alluvial forests. Habitat actions foreseen included removal of intrusive shrubs, reintroduction of appropriate hydrological conditions and stakeholder awareness raising. The project area covered a total of 1 100 ha and actions were focused on around 400 ha. LIFE’s support here was planned to add value to a similar and parallel (State-funded) conservation project titled ‘Rosenheimer Stammbeckenmoore’. Results The project successfully achieved its objectives and is considered to demonstrate best practices that could be replicated by other habitat conservation projects dealing with the large-scale restoration of raised bogs. Some 400 ha of raised bogs were restored via habitat measures that increased water levels and cleared intrusive vegetation (trees and shrubs). Altogether, 15 km of dams and peat walls were built and some 200 drainage ditches were filled. Results increased water levels in the raised bog and stimulated the development of typical bog vegetation. Trees and shrubs were removed on a total area of 116 ha (compared to 105 ha foreseen). Most of the removal of wood was carried out by the local population without costs for the LIFE project. Vegetation monitoring at the project sites indicates that natural regeneration of typical bog flora like Sphagnum mosses is possible in the long term. Creation of additional wetland areas has led to new habitats for water fowl and wading birds (including Common Teal, Black-necked Grebe and Little ringed Plover). The new wetlands have made important contributions to the project area’s overall conservation value. Public awareness actions reached a high number of people and have generated beneficial levels of support for the project goals. Two information stations were built to present interpretation material about the moorland habitats, the species they support and the management requirements involved in maintaining these wildlife assets. Visitor numbers at the stations were high with around 12 750 people accessing the Nicklheim site. Long-term sustainability of the project is ensured, since the hydrological conditions are now established and relatively self-sufficient. Ongoing actions by the beneficiary will include controlling the dams and continuing the ecological monitoring. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).