In southwestern Idaho, this protected landscape extends along the Snake River and supports one of the world’s densest nesting raptor populations, with more than 700 pairs from 15 species. Its importance comes from a mix of climate, geology, soils, vegetation, and abundant prey, making it especially significant for the prairie falcon. The area was dramatically shaped about 14,000 years ago by the Bonneville Flood, which carved canyons and left striking geological features. It also preserves deep human history, including ancient archaeological sites, petroglyphs, stretches of the Oregon National Historic Trail, and remnants of an 1860s gold mining settlement. Created in 1993 and renamed in 2009 for Morley Nelson, it remains at risk from wildfire and military training impacts.