Established in 1987, the Raptor Research Center (RRC) supports graduate education for the unique Master of Science in Raptor Biology at Boise State University, conducts research about birds of prey (raptors) and their habitats, offers international student research experiences (IRES) and research experiences for undergraduates (REU), and provides technical assistance to researchers.
Organization
The RRC operates with the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) as part of the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University. DBS and the RRC share common interests in biology and the conservation of natural resources, leading to the collaborative exploration of raptors and their habitats through research, education, and conservation efforts.
Raptor Research and Education
There are approximately 560 species of raptors in the world, and more knowledge is needed about all species and their ecology. Graduate students supported by the RRC conduct research on raptors and raptor habitats in the laboratory and in the field (near or far). The RRC also facilitates significant grant-based raptor research. Projects include research with state and federal natural resource agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners. Additionally, the RRC offers technical assistance, support, and training to students and researchers.
Collaboration
The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, located only about an hour’s drive south of the Boise State University campus, is ideally situated within reach of Raptor Biology graduate students and professional biologists interested in studying one of the greatest concentrations of nesting raptors in the world.
Boise State University has a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center – Snake River Field Station. This agreement promotes cooperative scientific research and development, monitoring, and collaborative technological and educational partnerships in the ecological and natural resource disciplines.
Plus, locally based The Peregrine Fund supports graduate student raptor research and RRC operations. The RRC collaborates with The Peregrine Fund to maintain the Global Raptor Impact Network (GRIN).
Give
If you would like to support raptor research, conservation, and education, please consider donating to the raptor research fund at Boise State’s Foundation. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly towards innovative programs supporting raptors and serving Boise State students. Give online or mail a donation for AR301 – Resources for Raptor Research directly to: Boise State University Foundation, 1173 W. University Drive, Boise, ID 83706.
Give Online to Raptor Research
RRC In-Depth
Explore the programs that the RRC supports and meet our staff!