The rocky outcrops that define the Black Hills Area of Environmental Concern (ACEC) are all that remains of an eroded dome of volcanic tuff, formed 4-7 million years ago near today's Christmas Valley, Oregon. Covered with hardy, low-growing plants, this high desert ecosystem hosts 3 BLM Special Status Species of plants: Cusick’s buckwheat, Warner Mountain bedstraw, and snowline cymopteris. The site offers great hiking, wildflower hunting, photography, and wildlife viewing. Watch for bobcats, coyotes, golden eagles, pronghorn antelope, and many other large and small mammals, birds, and reptiles who call the Black Hills home.