What makes this area so Unique?

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) was designated by Congress in 1993 to protect birds of prey, their prey species, and the habitats they rely on. The NCA hosts one of the densest nesting concentrations of birds of prey in the world and supports additional raptor species during migration and throughout the winter months. Each year, approximately 800 pairs of eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, and other raptor species nest in the 81 mile stretch of the Snake River Canyon and on the benchlands above.

How Does Birds of PREy NCA PArtnership fit in?

The Birds of Prey NCA Partnership (BOPP) is an Idaho 501c3 non-profit organization, established in 2015 after in-depth stakeholder input and extensive feedback from both state and district BLM staff. Our mission is to support the management and conservation of the NCA through science, education, outreach, and partnerships. We seek to achieve this through building strong partnerships with the BLM and other land management agencies, educational institutions, and other non-profits and community partners. Our work includes Education & Community Outreach, Wildlife Research & Monitoring, Habitat Imporvement Programs, as well as public land advocacy & stewardship activities.

What is a national conservation area?

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees more than 245 million acres of public lands in the Unitied States, making the BLM the largest land managment agency in the U.S. The BLM manages more acres than the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service combined. National Coservation Areas are part of the BLM’s system of National Conservation Lands. These areas are designated by Congress or the President to conserve special features, from winding rivers, to mountain vistas, to important wildlife habitats and migration corridors. These special designations also include National Monuments, Wild & Scenic Rivers, National Historic Trails, Wilderness Areas, and Wilderness Study Areas. National Conservation Areas are established by Congress and managed by the BLM to conserve, protect, and enhance significant scientific, cultural, ecological, and recreational resources. Learn more about this amazing system of publics lands by visiting the BLM’s National Conservation Lands storymap.

would you like to visit the Nca?

We invite you to visit and explore the NCA, where hundreds of hawks, owls, eagles and falcons come each spring to mate and raise their young. As the BLM describes it, "the birds and their unique environment offer rich rewards to those willing to experience the NCA on its own terms and who have patience to fit into the natural rhythms of life in this special place."

Want to Listen and learn more?

Dedication point season 5

Season 5 of our podcast is here! Find our more information and listen to episodes here. Receive notifications when an episode drops by subscribing on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Dedication Point was launched in 2019 with our first season of interviews focused on the history of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA. Now in it’s 5th season, the show continues to explore issues relevant to this unique National Conservation Area. Read more about the episodes and listen here.