Raptor Fest 2021

The Orchard Combat Training Center – Balancing Resource Management with the Military Mission for more than 75 Years

live-streaming on Thursday, August 26th at 11am MT

The Department of Defense and the Idaho Army National Guard (IDARNG) has been training in the area known as the Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) since the 1940’s. In 1993 the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Center (NCA) was established to protect the highest density of nesting raptors in North America, and arguably the world. This presentation shows how the IDARNG has actively managed the natural and cultural resources of the OCTC in such a manner as to not only be a compatible use within the NCA, but has some of the best raptor habitat in the NCA, which is associated with the largest residual stand of sagebrush in the NCA.