The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area is kicking off its 25th anniversary Thursday. The area protects raptors and other species near Boise.
The National Conservation Area, or NCA, was formed in 1993. The 500,000 acre stretch of desert supports one of the densest concentrations of nesting birds of prey, including falcons, eagles, hawks and owls.
Steve Alsup is with the Birds of Prey NCA Partnership, a friends group formed to support the area. He says there are other NCA’s around the West, but this one is special.
“This is one of the only ones that’s sort of set up around a group of animals. Birds of Prey is in the title and I think that is really one of the things that makes this area truly unique,” Alsup says.
He says even though the NCA is just 35 miles south of Boise, many people don’t know it’s there.
“We’re using this 25th anniversary to promote the area to people that have grown up in the Treasure Valley that don’t know exactly where it is and what they can do out there and for the people who have been out there we want to invite them back again,” says Alsup.
The kick-off for the 25th anniversary is Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at JUMP in downtown Boise. The event will feature live birds of prey demonstrations, a raptor art exhibit and films about the history of the NCA.
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