From July 2001 until September 2004 Global Nature Fund carried out a EU LIFE III wetland rehabilitation project in Spain and Greece with the title "Living Lakes: Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Shallow Lakes". The project areas were the lagoons La Nava and Boada in Spain, and the Nestos Lakes in north-eastern Greece. The main goal of the project was to develop and implement a management plan for each project area with the local communities focusing on the development of the wetlands while benefiting the social and economic needs of the local population.

The plans included the installation of buffer zones around the lakes to reduce nutrients influx, guidelines for the treatment of sewage effluent and visitor management. A plan for agricultural extensification and the production of Good Practice Guidelines so that other wetlands can benefit from the experience gained during the project were further parts of the project.