Background The Baltic States harbour relatively large and intact areas of forest and wetland habitats, compared to elsewhere in central and western Europe. The Teici area consists of two extensive nature reserves (with external zones) in eastern Latvia. It comprises a total of more than 45 000 ha, dominated by forest and wetland habitats, including priority habitats such as active raised bogs, bog woodland and western taiga. Considering the very large area of intact habitats, this site would make a very important contribution to the Natura 2000 network of protected sites in the EU if the problems afflicting it in the late 1990s, such as inappropriate management and illegal logging, could be tackled appropriately. Objectives In order to improve the conservation status of the area, the LIFE project was to undertake a series of actions, including the purchase of at least 300 ha of the most valuable forest habitats still suffering from inadequate legal protection, and the restoration of some 1 000 ha of drained mires (essentially to be achieved by blocking ditches). These actions would also benefit the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), a significant part of the European population of which is found in Latvia. The decline in quality of meadow habitats suffering from overgrowth was to be halted through the restoration of a total of 1 359 ha. Once restored, long-term solutions were to be found for their management, eventually through SAPARD (the EU's Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development) if appropriate. For the long-term success of the actions, a better knowledge and understanding among stakeholders and the local community of the nature conservation values linked to the site, is crucial. To tackle this, facilities for visitors (including a nature trail and information boards), a film and seminars were planned. Involvement by the local community in these activities would be emphasised. Results The project has, in general, achieved its objectives. A detailed inventory of habitats and species of EU conservation concern was carried out and two action plans drafted that will inform future nature management activities on the site - "Management of meadows in Teici area” and “Preservation of EU habitats in Teici area”. LIFE support was used to purchase 29 land units for nature conservation with a combined area of 409.61 ha. These land purchase agreements have saved significant areas of ecologically connected forest and bog ecosystems from clear cutting. Other significant restoration actions included the removal of overgrowth (shrubs etc) from 858 ha of grasslands in the project area and the insertion of 42 dams to block ditches and restore bog hydrology. To improve knowledge about the targeted conservation area and public access to it, various dissemination materials were produced as well as two programmes for interactive field workshops on wetland biodiversity. In addition, 1.92 km of new boardwalk was constructed. Finally, three new Natura 2000 sites were established within the project in 2004, helping to ensure the long-term protection of the nesting area of the lesser spotted eagle, along with other target species and habitats.