Conservationists have reassured concerned residents that work at Paget Marsh will not harm the environment.

The Bermuda National Trust, which is currently restoring the ancient area to its former glory in conjunction with the Audubon Society, said the project is designed to stop exactly that.

Thanks to a $350,000 donation from past Trust president Dennis Sherwin, the marsh will return to what it would have looked like when Bermuda's first settlers landed.

Part of the 28-acre site had been used as a rubbish dump since the 1920s and work is currently going on to excavate trash left by Bermudians, which conservationists hope will reveal an original pond.

In addition a boardwalk will be built alongside the site, to protect the marsh from pedestrian traffic.

All work is being done under the close scrutiny of Government Conservation officer David Wingate, who said signs were erected to reassure people that the digging was not a new development.

Once complete, there would be open water and areas that would encourage native plant and bird species to thrive.

The boardwalk will enable visitors to view the habitat and enjoy a nature trial through the reserve, without damaging the marsh.

"Things are going extremely well and I have every confidence it is going to work as a restoration project,'' he said.

All the work has planning permission and is scheduled for completion by April next year.

National Trust director Amanda Outerbridge said the walk would take people through different habitats, providing an educational and eco-tourism experience.

"People see the digging and are concerned, but it is a very positive project,'' she said. "We want people to know what we are doing, we don't want them to be concerned.'' She added that the Works and Engineering are expected to build a pavement off Middle Road from the bus stop, to encourage visitors to take the bus there rather than private transport.

A donation from Dennis Sherwin is also going to help the restoration of Warwick marsh.