Regain - Regional Actions to Improve Nature in River Odense and Odense Fjord

The overall project objective was to improve the ecological conditions of species and habitats along the Odense River and in the fjord. The main action was to restore meanders to a 12.2 km section of the river. All landowners along the river (79 in total) have been contacted and have agreed to compensation for the partial loss or alteration of their land use, within the framework of a land consolidation process. Around 350 ha of riparian wetlands and meadows are to be re-created, which should help to reduce the nutrient load in Odense Fjord by some 5%. Management agreements have been signed to restore 155 ha of neglected coastal meadows along the Fjord. The project also explored the synergies between Natura 2000 designation and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive as the Odense River is, in fact, one of 13 pilot river basins selected by the European Commission to test new Water Framework Directive guidelines.