This publication presents the findings of the terminal evaluation of the project ‘Securing biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in China’s Dongting Lake Protected Areas’ implemented in China’s Hunan Province. The project was designed to address key barriers to biodiversity conservation. The conclusions highlighted the overall relevance of project design, contribution to biodiversity conservation and strengthening of institutions and networks and the adequate role played by the executing and implementing agencies. Nevertheless, a strong sustainability plan managing existing risks is needed to reinforce sustainability prospects further and certain delays were noted during project implementation that contributed to inefficiencies. Key recommendations made were on the sustainability plan that required finalization and addressing potential risks to long-term impact, the need for the social impact of biodiversity conservation efforts to be fully considered and systematically recorded and that the future project designs should be updated with operational partners to address any contextual changes.