Jerrabomberra Wetlands Trench Trail launched

Now, thanks to archaeological work from Australian National University students, an ACT Heritage grant and research from the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, the training trenches of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands will be better remembered by the public.

Speaking at the launch of the Trench Trail on Friday, ACT Heritage Council chairman David Flannery paid tribute to his grandfather Major Michael Joseph Flannery, who was in the military from 1904 to 1945.

"Coming out to this place helps to refresh and remind me of not only what it is we're working towards on council but also of some more personal family reflection," Mr Flannery said.

"I thought I knew this location reasonably well. I often come out this way either cycling or to photograph the birdlife, but I can now more fully appreciate that the wetlands are rich with other values and attributes that are core to the territory's heritage."

The Jerrabomberra Wetlands hosted the Royal Military College's Trench Warfare and Bombing School from 1916. The instructional trench system was multi-layered and designed for officers to test the latest in scientific warfare in preparation for the Western Front.

The system was filled in after the First World War then obscured by flooding and forgotten until research was undertaken into the cultural heritage of the wetlands in 2014.

Environment and Heritage Minister Mick Gentleman said the site was best protected by remaining buried but said additional excavations were planned "over time".

"Whilst there were trench warfare schools in each state, this one was regarded as the best by the Governor-General of the day," he said.

"It's fantastic that this piece of history is more prominent now for the Canberra community to appreciate.

"I would like to thank all those involved in bringing this project to fruition."

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service and the Green Army developed the site and installed the signs and posts.