Background There are still several areas in the southern Eggegebirge that harbour rare wetlands, such as the habitat type, "degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration" or "transition mires and quaking bogs". These peatlands provide habitat for highly endangered plant and animal species and function as important stepping stones that support the survival of wetlands and bog species in the whole nature region of the Weserbergland. However, the sites are increasingly degraded by drainage, disturbed water regime and scrub encroachment. Objectives The overall aim of the project is to assure a favourable conservation status of the rare wetland habitats of the Natura 2000 network sites, “Eselsbett and Schwarzes Bruch” and “Sauerbachtal Bülheim”. Specific objectives include: Improving the conservation status of the habitat type, "transition mires and quaking bog" on the Eselsbett site by the restoration of a favourable water regime (blocking ditches and building dams); Restoring the water balance of the Schwarzes Bruch project site; Removing willow scrub from Eselsbett to restore its open landscape character and optimise the marshlands as a habitat for bog species; Sustained thinning of pine forests on the Schwarzes Bruch site to restore its open landscape character and make it favourable for bog species; Restoring a favourable water balance in the transition mires and quaking bogs on the Sauerbachtal Bülheim site; Improving the conservation status of habitat types, particularly their habitat-specific species composition, by inter-linking all project sites; Achieving broad support amongst stakeholders and the local population for the objectives of the project and on the appropriate actions to be taken; and Compiling and disseminating the lessons learned. Expected results: The Eselsbett site will be satisfactorily and sustainably re-wetted. The increased water levels will be recorded by water monitoring piles (dipwells). The accompanying phyto-sociological surveys will demonstrate the effects of rewetting by the increasing occurrence (abundance and dominance) of bog species. In the optimal case scenario, Sphagnum species will spread in the re-wetted area. The willow encroachment into the bog will be suppressed to 20% of the coverage at the beginning of project; Similar methods will be used on the Schwarzes Bruch site which, after the completion of the re-wetting measures, is expected to have a higher and more constant water level than Eselsbett. Some 80% of the pines within this Natura 2000 area will be removed; Pine removal and rewetting measures at Sauerbachtal Bülheim are expected to increase the water level in the small bog remnants, which will allow the creation of new open treeless surfaces; Improved ecological coherence of the entire area through changes in land use in areas that currently impede connectivity; Maintenance of populations of target fauna target species and stabilised or improved numbers of target plant species during the project period; General consent for project actions from stakeholders and the public, brought about by targeted communications. Regular publications and a symposium will be used to transfer results to similar restoration projects; and By stimulating the growth of peatland vegetation, the project activities will increase the ability of the target areas to sequester carbon dioxide and act as carbon sinks.