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The Town of Annapolis Royal and Ducks Unlimited Canada Open the French Basin Trail 
The town of Annapolis Royal in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada celebrate the opening of the French Basin Trail Friday, August 22, 2003.
Amherst, N.S., August 22, 2003—The Town of Annapolis Royal in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada celebrate the opening of the French Basin Trail Friday, August 22, 2003 at 2 pm at the Annapolis Royal Marsh located just off Highway 1 in Annapolis Royal.
"This is an excellent example of a dynamic partnership," says John Kinsella, the mayor of Annapolis Royal. "The new trail built by Ducks Unlimited with financial assistance from the Province of Nova Scotia provides an incentive for the Town to get on with the development of the rest of our in-Town trails. It also sets a high standard for how those trails should be built and how they should look."
Tourism Development & Enhancement Program delivered by The Department of Tourism and Culture provided $25,000 for the development of the French Basin Trail named after the tiny cove nestled along the Annapolis River. This 1.2 km easy walking trail encircles the Annapolis Royal Marsh project and as the DUC Atlantic Engineer says makes a connection between the community and its wildlife.
"With this trail, everyone's a winner," says McCullough. "The entire project is a conservation of wildlife, the improvement of water quality, tourism and public education."
Through the establishment of interpretive signage along the trail, the public has an opportunity to explore a marsh up close and learn why wetlands are essential to a healthy environment.
When people, like those in the community of Annapolis Royal, care about conservation and partner with Ducks Unlimited Canada to restore a wetland, it is like building a little oasis right in the middle of a dark desert. Wildlife species suddenly begin to emerge such as frogs, tree swallows, muskrats, and white-tailed deer that come to the water to drink.
Bird watching enthusiasts say they saw numerous feathered friends paddling in the water. Gigantic great blue heron, tiny sandpipers, black duck, blue and green-winged teal, grebes, sora rails, red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows and yellow warblers were recently spotted in this 37-acre managed marsh.
The Annapolis Royal Marsh was constructed with the generous corporate support of Michelin North America Ltd., The Kings Mutual Insurance Company, the Minas Basin Pulp & Power Company and Environment Canada - Eco Action.
Ducks Unlimited Canada conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
