Background The Federsee bog, in the district of Biberach in Baden-Württemberg, covers an area of 2 920 ha and is designated a Natura 2000 site. It is the largest bog in south-west Germany and includes several habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive: Molinia meadows on chalk and clay (6410), eutrophic tall herbs (6430), alkaline fens (7230), raised bogs suitable for restoration (7120), transition mires (7140), and bog woodland (*91DO). It is also home to rare animal and plant species (e.g. Annex II species: Misgurnus fossilis, Cobitis taenia, Vertigo angustior, Vertigo geyerii, Euphydryas aurinia, Bombina variegata, Triturus cristatus and Liparis loeselii, and ice-age relics such as Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum, Betula humilis, Formica uralensis, Limnephilus dispar and Thiasophila bercionis). Though habitats are mostly healthy, on larger areas there are considerable deficiencies caused by drainage and intensive exploitation. Objectives The ReHa Federseemoor project aimed to remove a gliding field, restore and re-irrigate drained and intensively-used meadows, re-establish Annex I habitats, expand sites with endangered plants, prevent the spread of invasive alien species, improve the scenic landscape, and promote visitor guidance and awareness-raising activities. Results The project partners started dismantling the glider airfield in the middle of Federsee bog in the winter of 2009/2010. This included the removal of an aircraft hangar, restaurant, tower, fuel depot and tarmac driveways. The remaining gravel sites were covered with peat, while trees and shrubs were cleared. Birds are no longer disturbed by gliders and by 2014 the first typical wetland plants were reappearing. Since 2012, the site has been mown by a farmer and this management continues post-LIFE. The permit for rewetting this area was delayed due to nearby landowner objections, but it was finally gained two days before the end of the project (29 March 2014). The blocking of the ditches was done in April 2014, which included the construction of fish passes for Misgurnus fossilis. This newly rewetted area of about 15 ha includes a privately-owned area, bought decades ago by the Forschner family to protect Bronze Age archaeological finds. There are five central ditches (Bruckgraben) for the drainage of the southern Federsee bog. The project initially planned to block one ditch and redirect its water into another central ditch, though in the end this new connecting drainage ditch was not necessary. In early 2014, the ditch (no. 4 Bruckgraben) was just blocked at three places along 830 m, with its water running into the peatland. As Misgurnus fossilis might be affected, the blocking of the ditch was done in such a way to allow the fish to pass at times of high water levels. Overall, the action here resulted in an improved water regime on about 8 ha. A total of about 72 ha were rewetted by blocking 5 km of ditches. The project partners proposed to just rewet about 90 ha on both sides of the river Seekircher Ach in the northern Federsee bog, but succeeded in raising the water level in two rivers (by up to 0.8 m). By the end of the project, about 30 km of large and small ditches were closed completely and further ditches were blocked at 180 places. Two small rivers (Seekircher Ach and Brasenberger Bach) were reshaped from canalised waterways to near-natural meandering condition along about 2 km. Around 100 ha in this area was permanently rewetted and this will hopefully stop the process of peat soil loss (about 1-3 cm per year). Wetland bird species were quick to exploit improved habitat created by raised water levels. In October 2013, there were about 80 resting Gallinago gallinago and 15 Numenius arquata on site; both species had not been seen in this area for many years. In 2014, four pairs of lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) were breeding, for the first time in decades. A corncrake (Crex crex) was calling in May and ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) were recorded for the first time. At some sites (about 7.5 ha total), vegetation and the upper degraded peat soil layer was removed. Seeds from recorded plant communities in southern areas close to the Federsee were spread on most of these sites to initiate the growth of typical wetland habitat vegetation. Ongoing monitoring will identify the most suitable seed donor sites. Archaeologists and nature conservationists worked together during the project’s rewetting actions. Raised water levels are helping to preserve archaeological finds in peat layers from mineralisation. This work contributed to the area becoming an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2011. Nature conservation has gained from the archaeological findings, because the preservation of cultural heritage has made more stakeholders and local people accept large-scale rewetting measures. Moreover, the rewetting actions are an important contribution to the mitigation of climate change (carbon sequestration). Shrub was removed from a calcareous and alkaline fen site (1 ha). This led to increased numbers of targeted mollusc species (Vertigo angustior and Vertigo geyeri). Over the whole project area, invasive plants (e.g. Solidago canadensis and Impatiens glandulifera) were removed by mowing, mulching, eradication, cutting and coverage with dark foil. The project partners conducted an extensive public awareness campaign, through guided tours, information boards, an informative website, a monthly newsletter and other dissemination materials. An observation platform was constructed in the northern part of the area with LIFE funding, which gives good views and lessens visitor impact on the ground. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).