[4] Most of the transboundary nature reserve, some 134 km2 (52 sq mi), lies in Germany, in the west of the state of Lower Saxony.

[5] Some of the wetland area had become degraded, and, after peat extraction was discontinued, restoration work was needed to improve water retention.

The project had the objective of creating active raised bog and was coordinated by Staatsbosbeheer, the government agency that manages the site.

The work was supported by the European Union's LIFE programme in the years 2003–2006, but it was noted that the full effects would be seen in the longer term.

[7] Bargerveen is a Special Protection Area for bird-life,[8] and is home to large numbers of wintering bean geese.