Summary:
This Project combined several natural water retention measures: the restoration of meadows and pastures (A1), reduced tillage (A7), a reduced stocking density (A12), and the restoration of wetlands (N2). The project area was located in north-west Germany within the river basin district Weser (DE4000). As funded under the LIFE Program, it was directed at European policy contexts, namely the WFD, Habitats Directive, and Birds Directive. A wide variety of stakeholders was involved in the implementation process, ranging from nature conservation agencies and NGO’s, as well as water managers to local farmers. The project achieved an increase of the population of meadow birds in the area, and was therefore successful. Furthermore, the constructive exchange of interests and opinions, leading to common benefits for different stakeholders has to be considered an additional success.