Background The Loonse and Drunense Dunes National Park in the south of the Netherlands is, in a European context, a very important area for inland drifting sands. More than 90% of the inland drifting sands in Europe are found in the Netherlands, and the Loonse and Drunense Dunes area is the second largest of this type in the Netherlands. The drifting sands in the nature reserve are surrounded by woodland, as a consequence of earlier planting, which was done to change the drifting sands environment. This planting decreased the size of the open areas, and diminishing dynamics in the remaining area increased the speed of vegetation succession in the surviving drifting sands. This process was further accelerated by nitrogen deposition. In the past, Eurasian wryneck Jynx torquilla and Tawny pipit Anthus campestris bred in the area, but they are now found only during the winter as migrants. The many visitors to the park are welcome, but they disturb the fringes of the drifting sands, where the species-rich transitions between drifting sands, heathland and woodland are found, including the habitats of rare breeding birds. As a consequence of these processes, the most important habitats in the National Park are under serious threat. Objectives The central objective of the project is to enlarge the area of drifting sands in the Loonse and Drunense Dunes nature reserve, and to raise its quality. This activity will thus deal with the habitats H2310 (Dry sand heaths with Calluna and Genista) and H2330 (Inland dunes with open Corynephorus and Agrostis grasslands). The project will also aim to increase the breeding numbers of Eurasian nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oeananthe) in the park, as well as creating the conditions for establishment of breeding Eurasian wryneck (Jynx torquilla) and Tawny pipit (Anthus campestris). The target habitats are expected to increase in area from 465 ha to 575 ha as a result of the project. The most important measure will be to increase the effect of the wind in the area, and to expose sand so that it can be blown by wind. This can be achieved by removing some of the woodland and by removing the top soil. The impact of these efforts has to be sustainable, and will lead to the improvement of the biotopes for e.g. foraging and breeding birds and insects. The sustainability of the improvements will be secured by increasing the intensity of sheep-grazing in the area. In this way, small-scale variations to the habitats H2310 and H2330 will be maintained and the re-establishment of trees and/or grasses will be prevented. In order to counter the disturbance caused to breeding birds, and to prevent damage to vulnerable vegetation, a plan will be made for the zoning of recreational areas within the park. The construction of a viewing platform for visitors will be part of this. This will contribute to visitors' appreciation of the nature reserve. Expected results: The habitats H2310 and H2330 will be enlarged by 110 ha by removal of woodland including the top soil. The total surface of these habitats is expected to increase from 465 ha to 575 ha; Direct quality improvement of the habitats H2310 and H2330 across the total area of 575 ha, by taking steps to enhancing the effect of the wind in the area, leading to increased drifting of sand. Also, the present monotonous structures in the vegetation will be broken up by small-scale removal of the top soil. These measures in combination will lead to vegetation growth that will be dominated by e.g. lichens and the grass Corynephorus canescens. This is the favourite habitat for many insects that are in turn the main food for Anthus campestris, Oenanthe oenanthe and many other birds; Indirect quality improvements by recreational zoning; Sustainable maintenance of the target habitats will be achieved by increasing the grazing pressure by sheep, which will ensure the small-scale diversity of the area and prevent dominant growth of trees and/or grasses.