Bass Island, Lake Rosseau is the recipient of the Muskoka Conservancy 2020 Built and Natural Heritage Award!

A stellar example of good land stewardship and the occupants over the years are to be commended.

Here's more on Bass Island, Lake Rosseau from the field notes of Bill Dickinson (August 2020).

"Bass Island is an outstanding example of how families can cottage lightly on the land for generations (138 years in this case). As you circle the island you are struck by the realization that any approaches (or access points) to the water are natural…a small swale or a bit of barren rock outcrop sufficed. No vegetation has been cleared from the shoreline to get to the water. For that matter little has been cleared from the whole island...just enough for a modest tastefully maintained cottage. Trails are minimal, defined and lightly used. Bass island has a surprisingly diverse vegetational component for such a small area. The shoreline is robust with two main shrubs: Mountain Holly and Winterberry. Other shoreline species include: Cattails, Sweet Gale, Spirea and Alder. In the more exposed areas Sumac, Blueberries, Common Juniper, Raspberries and Corydalis are represented. The tree component is interesting in that it is of uneven age and relatively diverse. This suggests that they have prospered and declined rather naturally over the 100+ years that the island has been settled. The tree species are often represented as singles and include: White Pine, Red Pine, White Cedar, White Birch, Balsam, Red Maple, Mountain Maple, and Red Oak. The understory ground cover is largely dominated by Wild Lily of the Valley. During my short visit, a Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow were seen and heard along with a Green Frog. As we left a Ringbill Gull was standing on guard on a rock near the picturesque white bridge."