Raptor Research Center

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 the habitats in which they occur, offers 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

Graduate students supported by the RRC conduct research on raptors and raptor habitats in the laboratory, in the field (near or far), or in international settings. 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.

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.

Collaboration

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.