NATURAL HERITAGE STEWARDSHIP AWARDS 2004

JOHN & RUTH McLENNAN
PAINT LAKE, LAKE OF BAYS TWP.

The McLennan property was first purchased by James Avery, Ruth's grandfather, in 1889. Mr. Avery built his homestead on the east side of Paint Creek, just south of today's Highway #117. Since the land had already been logged, James became a hunter/trapper and guide, soon known across the province.

On his death, Mr. Avery bequeathed the property to his son, Orrington, who ran a general store in Dorset. Orrington's daughter, Ruth and her new husband, John, became the first settlers on the west side of Paint Creek, where they assembled a home, started their campsite and began to raise a family.

Today, the property, with a significant amount of shoreline, has only 30 feet of sand beach and a small pipe dock encroaching on an otherwise naturally vegetated shoreline. The rest of the land is tree-covered except for the soil paths and natural grass campsites. The built footprint is small, being an aggregation of pre-existing one-storey log and wooden structures. This property is a strong example of good stewardship.

BOB HUTCHESON
BELLA LAKE, LAKE OF BAYS TWP.

Much of Sinclair Township in Muskoka was given to new immigrants as 100-acre farming land grants by Queen Victoria. Many of the new arrivals had little experience in clearing timber to establish farmland. One of the timber companies involved in such clearing belonged to Bob's forebears. After a few meager seasons the poor Muskoka soils were played out. Many left the land and sold it to the timber companies. In the early 1960's, some of this land became the Bella Shores Cottage subdivision. Bella Shores Limited was the first company in Muskoka to place a building and land development covenant on cottage property. This covenant put tight restrictions on shoreline and land use as well as on the type of building materials, set backs, and forest disturbances. These restrictions were meant to protect both the ecological and visual integrity of the land.

Such an environmental vision is quite remarkable, given its historical context.

BRIAN & TRACY TAYLOR
LAKE ROSSEAU, MUSKOKA LAKES TWP.

This magical cottage property is bounded on both sides by provincial land reserves and is reached by a single dirt access road that is arched over with continuous tree cover.

The square timber "cabin" sits in a forested opening overlooking Skeleton Bay. The soil pathway leads down through a well-forested slope to a relatively undisturbed shoreline. The sole powered watercraft sits on a small gantry providing little hindrance to the natural vegetation. A small low dock is tucked in under the trees at the water's edge. With minimal lawn and a cottage design and colours that harmonize with the woodlands, this property blends easily into the landscape. There are plans to remove existing non-native invasive plants and to further develop the natural butterfly alcoves that exist.

The Taylor's environmental ethic bodes well for the future of this property.

CORNELIUS (KEES) & FRANCES WENTGES
LAKE JOSEPH, MUSKOKA LAKES TWP.

The Wentges property, on the north west point of Badgerow Island, shows that the family has made a positive effort not only to maintain the existing shoreline but to enhance it with native plants. They used native under-story plantings throughout the landscape and continue to put great effort into maintaining tree canopy. In addition, the Wentges have added young trees to ensure future tree canopy when older trees disappear.

The walkways are composed of indigenous flagstone for minimum impact. Mr. Wentges is particularly proud of the moss culture he has encouraged between the stones. Overall, the cottage nestles nicely into the landscape.

RICHARD W. IVEY
LAKE JOSEPH, MUSKOKA LAKES TWP.

During the mid 1990's, a unique cottage construction operation was laid out on Loon Island. The owner worked with both the cottage and the landscape architects to insure minimum impact on the land for both the cottage and the boat house. A plot plan was developed showing the location of all trees on the construction site. Then the placement and orientation of the buildings were made to maximize the retention of all of the natural vegetation.

All the trees were aggressively fenced, little or no natural vegetation was disturbed or driven on and a thick mulch was laid down to protect the tree roots from mechanical compression. A barge road was inserted among the trees on the south slope. This opening and the shoreline were regenerated after the project's completion. All paths were placed on the existing soil and covered with pine needles and chips, to reduce soil compaction.

The only built footprint on the property is the cottage, the modest two slip boat house on steel pilings and the footpaths. The dark stained siding and the muted green sashing blend in well with the shoreline and the skyline. In fact, the cottage is nearly invisible from the water.

This undertaking demonstrates a very high level of natural heritage stewardship that continues to-day.