KUNA — All summer long the Bureau of Land Management is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
The area encompasses over 600,000 acres of wide open landscape where 24 different birds of prey species call home. Now in its 25th year, the area has provided what life looks like in its natural habitat for raptor birds on the hunt all times of the year.
The scenic area outside of Kuna was established by Congress as National Conservation Area in 1993 after extensive work by Morley Nelson that spanned over decades.
That act included protections for nesting raptors who have made this spot unique from any other in North America.
"From studies that have been done, we estimate that there about 700 pair of nesting raptors every year," said Cory Coffman, environmental education specialist with the BLM.
The large number of birds makes this area home to the greatest concentration of nesting birds of prey, not only in North America, but perhaps, the world.
So, why are birds of prey so drawn to this area?
Not only is there great prey availability, but the natural landscape provides a tailor-made habitat.
"The Snake River Canyon there is the nesting area for a lot of the raptors that live out there, and the plain, the Snake River plains, is where their food source is. That's where that sagebrush habitat is and most of the bulk of the land is out there," said Coffman.
And the trademark cliffs along the Snake River provide a perfect nesting habitat for birds to dive off of.
As part of the 25th-anniversary celebration, the BLM is reminding Idahoans that the area is also great for humans to enjoy as well.
"You can do your other recreational activities, hiking, biking, and boating, and all those things you get to do out on public lands," said Coffman.
The area is "nature in the rough," but the BLM says the birds and their unique environment offer a rewarding experience of blending into the natural rhythms of life.
"The 25th anniversary is a way for us to get out and talk to the public to let them know why the area is important, what they can do out there. and hopefully they will continue to visit the area in the future," said Coffman.
For more information on special 25th-anniversary events, click here.