The Boise Climbers Alliance (BCA) was formed in the Spring of 1999 in response to a newspaper article that insinuated climbers threatened the nests of raptors at the Black Cliffs, east of Boise. The local climbing community reacted to this article by quickly and effectively creating an action plan aimed at low impact, environmentally sensitive climbing. They recognized that it was unfair to characterize climbers as uncaring about nature and wildlife, because the beauty and wonder of the outdoors is one of the greatest motivations to climb.
Partnering with Bruce Haak, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Regional Nongame Biologist, The BCA formulated a plan for protecting raptor nest sites from climber disturbance during the critical nesting season.
The plan proposes annual monitoring of raptor nests at the black cliffs. Should any nests be found, the BCA will post buffer zone signs indicating the area of the nest sites, and asking climbers to please not climb in those areas. Pivotal to our plans success will be the willingness of climbers to respect seasonal, voluntary closures of critical climbing routes. Any closure will be voluntary; the BCA carries no enforcement authority. But without the cooperation of climbers in this plan, climbers face the possibility of future regulatory actions by land managers to protect the raptors.