By the late 1960s Morley Nelson had a clear goal - to establish federal protection for the Snake River Canyon. He began to steer his ever growing cadre of falconry apprentices towards conducting the research that was needed to protect the area, while continuing to establish strategic political partnerships. Morley befriended the young, newly-elected governor of Idaho, Cecil Andrus, cementing a political alliance that would prove crucial in the establishment of protection for the Snake River Canyon. Morley also brought more attention to birds of prey in Southwest Idaho with the production of a new raptor film starring the daughter of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.