Within Improve Aquatic LIFE, the County Administrative Board of Värmland is working to reduce the risk of erosion and sediment transport in the Billan and Likan rivers. By mapping ditches, planning ditch plugging and measuring water flows, the habitat for mussels, fish and crayfish will be improved, while taking into account forest production and landowners’ interests.
Historic moment – salmon have returned to Okome
When the water was once again allowed to flow freely in the Stockån river, it was not long before life returned. Salmon have found their way home to Okome – and are now spawning in stretches that have been closed for generations.
Natural stone wanted for Stone reef in Öresund and Skälderviken
The Improve Aquatic LIFE project will soon recreate Stone reefs in Skälderviken and Öresund. Do you or your company have access to large quantities of boulders? Would you like to contribute to the restoration of stone reef habitats in the coastal waters of Skåne by donating stones?
Skolbäcken – like running water
Learning about nature by being in nature – this is the essence of the Skolbäcken concept. Through hands-on work at a nearby lake, stream or sea, children get to experience how life below the surface works, while helping to improve the environment for fish and other aquatic organisms.
Rapid response of nature in River Råån
Last summer, the last concrete foundation of the Görarp dam, which was a migration barrier for fish species in the River Råån, disappeared.
“Walk and talk” in River Bräkneån
The River Bräkneån Water Council, together with Tiken´s Fishing Association and Tingsryd Municipality, organized a river walk on September 2nd. In River Bräkneån, 3 migration barriers and 5 habitat restorations are planned to be addressed within Tingsryd municipality.
Improve Aquatic LIFE presented at the LIFE Platform Meeting in Brussels
On October 14-15, 2025, Improve Aquatic LIFE participated in the LIFE Platform Meeting in Brussels, a meeting for LIFE projects focusing on the implementation of river basin management plans and water resilience. The meeting was organized by CINEA with the support of the ELMEN team.
Listen to the Improve Aquatic LIFE podcast
The Improve Aquatic LIFE podcast follows one of Europe’s most ambitious conservation projects. First up is an episode on the exciting life of sea trout.
Culvert replacement opens up Natura 2000 waters
In Slussebäcken, a tributary river to Billan in Eda municipality, the Värmland County Administrative Board is planning to replace an old road culvert that currently hinders fish migration. By tagging and tracking fish with PIT tags, researchers and project staff are investigating how the measure can improve connectivity in the river.
Large stones will bring new life to the sea
In the sea off Landskrona, a lot of stones have historically been picked up from the seabed through so-called stone fishing. Now the Improve Aquatic LIFE project will recreate a Stone reef in the sea off Landskrona.