Kokemäenjoki-LIFE - From Ancient to the Present Estuary, Kokemäenjoki Wetland Chain, Finland

The project aimed to set up management plans for eight areas situated along the Kokemäenjoki-river in Southwest Finland, covering 12.303 ha. In particular, it restored the actual estuary and take flood protection measures, as the estuary is part of the potential flooding area of Pori city (about 15.000 inhabitants). Visitors and landowners took part in the planning process. It also restored the overgrown Puurijärvi (440 hectares). The water level in the southern part of the lake was raised about one meter, which produced new open water area. In the northern part, new open water area was excavated and dredged. A small island for breeding birds was built in the Enäjärvi-lake, Preiviikinlahti area. The project established safe feeding grounds in Raijalanjärvi protected areas. In the Preiviikinlahti area overgrown meadows was mowed and cleared and ditches filled to enhance breeding conditions for Dunlin. Increase public awareness of nature conservation was also carried out. Five bird watching towers, trails and information boards were built. Traditional monitoring of birds and other species were coupled with monitoring of the project socioeconomic effects.