A warden's account of haw grassland and woodland management measures have led to a remarkable improvement of the Proostmeer (province Groningen). Before 1987 the area consisted of arable land and a lake with poor biological diversity due to the use of herbicides. Local opposition led to the introduction of small-scale ecological nature management. Further nature dei’elopment schemes were carried out which resulted in a thriving flora and fauna. The Proostmeer is now an attractive nature and recreation area with many interesting butterflies, moths and dragonflies.