Conservation area closed - so who feeds the 60 some animals they have?

News 100 greenBy Staff

May 6th, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Parks are closed.

The Conservation areas are closed.

People don’t like the closures – but they are part of coping with the COVID19 disease that has brought about the death of thousands.

So we put up with.

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One of the lambs – it has to be fed.

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American Kestrel at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre

However, there is a problem, Mountsberg is home to more than 60 animals, from hawks, owls and eagles to horses, goats and sheep, a whole bunch of bees and even a couple snakes, to name just a few. Conservation Halton has a dedicated team of staff members who care for the animals, and in return, the animals help to teach school children, summer camp participants and park visitors about conservation and agriculture.

It costs about $200,000 per year to feed and care for the animals at Mountsberg, and because the Conservation Halton Parks do not receive support from municipal, provincial or federal taxes, they depend on entrance fees, membership purchases and other donations to fund these expenses. With the parks closed, due to COVID-19, Conservation Halton does not currently have this revenue, but they do still have mouths to feed.

The Conservation Foundation launched the Mountsberg Animal Food Fund to help feed the animals; they would like you to consider donating on their website:  The campaign went live on #GivingTuesdayNow and will remain active through the spring to ensure the animals get the care and support they need.

The full donate web site address is: www.conservationhalton.ca/mountsberg-animal-food-fund.

Conservation Halton is the community based environmental agency that protects, restores and manages the natural resources in its watershed. The organization has staff that includes ecologists, land use planners, engineers, foresters and educators, along with a network of volunteers, who are guided by a Board of Directors comprised of municipally elected and appointed citizens. Conservation Halton is recognized for its stewardship of creeks, forests and Niagara Escarpment lands through science-based programs and services.

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