We propose the following 10 guidelines for running nature restoration projects: (1) Organize a scientific committee; (2) Keep the size of the local council small; (3) Assign appropriate roles to its members; (4) Build a consensus for the master plan's long-term plan and objectives; (5) Resolve land problems and vested interests in an appropriate manner; (6) Write compact implementation and master plans with the text reduced to the essentials; (7) Invite public comment on the drafts for the overall design plan and implementation plan; (8) Clarify when and how the project plan shall be reviewed; (9) Build trust by making the project enjoyable for the participants; and (10) Assure that the scientists speak well and positively of the local council. Adaptive management furthermore depends on the following seven ironclad rules: (i) Specify the hypotheses and assumptions that are used; (ii) Determine beforehand a policy for effecting changes; (iii) Establish evaluation criteria; (iv) Conduct risk management on the basis of careful consideration of uncertainties; (v) Increase the scope of the hypotheses; (vi) Build trust between stakeholders; and (vii) Be aware that today's judgments and decisions may prove to be in error. Finally, we urge attention to the following eight Commandments for nature restoration projects: (I) Thou shalt not proceed with an implementation plan without agreement as to its objective; (II) Thou shalt not lose thy focus; (III) Thou shalt not sketch out a unique path into the future; (IV) Thou shalt not conduct any discussions disregarding the budget; (V) Thou shalt not confuse the scientific committee with the stakeholders' council; (VI) Thou shalt not divide into opposing camps; (VII) Thou shalt not disregard the facts and get carried away with ideology; and (VIII) Thou shalt not neglect to imagine what thou must say the following year.