Idaho Representative Mike Simpson has secured $8.5 million in federal funding for a major raptor conservation and education facility in Boise, according to an announcement from his office. The money would support construction and development of a Global Conservation Education and Condor Recovery Center, a project designed to strengthen efforts to protect birds of prey in Idaho and beyond.
Funding Included in FY2027 Appropriations Bill
The $8.5 million allocation was included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill through the Community Project Funding mechanism, a congressional process that allows lawmakers to direct federal dollars to specific local priorities. The funding represents one of the more substantial CPF designations in this cycle for Idaho projects.
The project is a partnership between The Peregrine Fund and Boise State University, two institutions with established records in raptor research, wildlife education, and conservation science. The Peregrine Fund, which operates the World Center for Birds of Prey on the outskirts of Boise, has worked for decades on recovery efforts for endangered raptor species, including California condors.
What the Project Would Accomplish
The proposed center would serve a dual purpose: expanding conservation science focused on California condor recovery while also creating educational facilities for students, researchers, and the general public. Condors, once nearly extinct in North America, have been a long-term focus of recovery programs operating out of Boise, making the region a recognized hub for raptor preservation nationwide.
By combining a condor recovery facility with global conservation education programming, the project aims to build on existing infrastructure and expertise already concentrated in the Treasure Valley. Boise State University’s involvement would likely bring academic research capacity and student engagement to what would otherwise be a standalone wildlife facility.
Rep. Simpson stated that the investment is intended to protect and preserve Idaho’s birds of prey for future generations, saying: “This funding will help protect and preserve Idaho’s birds of prey.”
Local officials have expressed support for the project, viewing the federal allocation as a meaningful commitment to one of Boise’s most distinctive conservation assets.
Impact on Ada County and the Treasure Valley
Beyond its conservation mission, a project of this scale carries economic and civic significance for Ada County. Facilities that attract researchers, students, and visitors contribute to the local economy and reinforce Boise’s identity as a city with a strong connection to Idaho’s natural heritage.
The World Center for Birds of Prey has long drawn wildlife enthusiasts from across the country, and an expanded, modernized facility could increase that regional draw. For Boise-area families, improved educational programming at the site could also provide a locally accessible destination tied to science and conservation — the kind of community resource that complements what Boise already offers.
This sort of community-focused development echoes the spirit of investment being seen across the Treasure Valley, from new cultural destinations like the historic Trolley House on Warm Springs Avenue, slated for reopening later this year, to entrepreneurial ventures serving families in Meridian and beyond.
What Comes Next
The funding is part of the FY2027 appropriations process, meaning the bill containing the allocation would still need to move through the full legislative process before the money is formally appropriated. Congressional appropriations bills require passage by both chambers and a presidential signature before funding is released.
Residents interested in the project can follow updates through The Peregrine Fund’s official communications or through Rep. Simpson’s congressional office. Those wishing to learn more about ongoing raptor conservation programs at the World Center for Birds of Prey can visit the facility, which is open to the public, on the south edge of Boise.
No construction timeline has been publicly announced, and further details about the center’s design and programming are expected as the appropriations process advances through Congress.