Conservation Halton holds two funds with the Burlington Community Foundation: one designed to support its sustainable operations and one uniquely established to support the Raptor Centre at Mountsberg Conservation Area.
The Douglas G. Cockburn Managed Fund was started by generous Conservation Halton donor Marguerite Gray.
“Marguerite’s wish was to honour her brother, Douglas G. Cockburn, by establishing a fund that would support the Centre’s ongoing activities and ensure the community could continue to benefit from its unique, nature-based educational programming for generations to come,” said Garner Beckett, executive director of the Conservation Halton Foundation.
Over the years, the support of the Douglas G. Cockburn Managed Fund has contributed to various projects at the park, including enhancing learning spaces, advancing education programs, and contributing to the Pioneer Boardwalk that allows families and school groups to have handson interaction with the park’s wetland ecosystem.
“The fund also supports the ongoing veterinary care of our raptors and farm animals,” said Garner. “Programs in the Raptor Centre and the Animal Barn give visitors the opportunity to meet these animals up close while learning about their personalities, relationships, diets, and individual needs.”
Each year, Mountsberg welcomes thousands of visitors to learn about farm animals and native birds of prey. In 2026, the fund will help replace Raptor Centre enclosures that are more than 30 years old. The project will create two larger, flexible pens featuring sliding divider walls to accommodate the needs of resident birds and Raptor Centre staff.
The fund established to support Conservation Halton’s vital operations is called the Green Values Fund. Both funds welcome donations that help the organization’s long-term goals.