The main objective of the project was to ensure the favourable conservation status of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the North European lowlands. The project also planned to ensure a favourable conservation status for the European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) and the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in the areas where they occur together with Emys orbicularis. The project would furthermore demonstrate how to protect Bombina bombina in artificial and drained lowland meadows of Brandenburg in Germany and in the large natural swamps and fenland of Zuvintas National Park in Lithuania. The aim was to protect more than 90% of the Emys orbicularis individuals in the north European lowlands and to demonstrate the validity of protection measures for Bombina bombina and Triturus cristatus as well as other amphibian species such as Hyla arborea and Pelobates fuscus.       

Coordinator: Lithuanian Fund for Nature             

Partners: Landschaftsförderverein Oberes Rhinluch e.V.; Germany Georg-August-Universität Göttingen;  Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve; Veisiejai Regional Park; Meteliai Regional Park;  Pólnocnopodlaskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków; Białowieski Park Narodowy; Klub Przyrodników; Arbeitsgemeinschaft Natur- und Artenschutz e.V. (Agena e.V.).