Plant of week Desert Blazing Star (Mentzelia laevicaulis, common name stickleaf). Perineal native. Grows to 2 1/3 feet at 100 - 7500 feet elevation. Blooms March to October. The plant bears capsule fruits containing winged seeds. Picture by Paul Santori.

Bird of week - Black-tailed Gnatcatcher. Tiny gray insectivore. Logged at our park a few times since 2017. Breeding males show a black cap with a thin white eyering; nonbreeding males have a thin black line over the eye. Females lack any black on the head. Picture © Cory Shaw.

Plant of week - Rush Milkweed. There are other Desert Milkweeds but this is a Asclepias subulate. It's a perennial Can reach 4 feet high & spreads about 2 feet. Likes sandy and rocky dry soils, full sun. Once established, rarely needs water. Photo © Dominika Heusinkveld

Bird of Week - Northern Shoveler. 1st shared on e-bird site on our October 29th Bird Walk led by Prescott Audubon. This unique dabbling duck is recognized by its prominent, spatula-like bill. Feeds by dipping its head into shallow wetland areas. Male/female photo © B.N. Singh.

Community News - Please come out Thursday, November 21st for National Rural Health Day 2024 and learn about all the services Yavapai County Community Health offers. Three locations and times, be sure to check out the attached flyer for more details.

News BCHP Friend - Sat, Nov 23, 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at AZ Game & Fish Dept, 5000 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ. FREE for all. Learn Agua Fria National Monument. Speakers: Connie Stone, PhD,(Retired BLM Archaeologist) & Mike Hoogendyk (Author and explorer of the Perry Mesa area)

Plant of week Common Purslane -On the AZ Noxious Weed List. Introduced from Europe & is "naturalized" as it grows & reproduces on its own. Smooth, shiny, fleshy green leaves with red margins, teardrop or wedge-shaped. Wider at tip than at base. Picture © Paul Santori

Bird of week - Marsh Wren. Seasonal, fall-winter resident in our area. 1st posted by R. Cole on our ebird site 11/8/24. Small, plump, round-bodied wren with a short tail often holds up almost vertically above its back. It has a thin bill and short wings. Photo © Cory Shaw

Butterfly of month - Leda Ministreak. Wing Span: 3/4 - 7/8 inch (1.9 - 2.2 cm). Listed at BCHP 11/2023 by John Dicus. Upper side of forewing brown with pale blue at the base; hindwing mostly pale blue. Pic Naomi-blinick More at buff.ly/3XPZaIX

Plant of week - Scarlet Pimpernel Plant (Anagallis arvensis). Invasive. Has small, five-petaled flowers that are usually orange or salmon pink, but can be red, white, or bright blue. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and livestock if ingested. Picture © Paul Santori

Bird of Week - Canyon Towhee. Large, stocky, long-tailed sparrow. Uniform matte brown body, with buffy throat & orange undertail coverts. Reddish-brown crown & messy dark streaks on upper breast (usually with a dark central spot). Often nest twice a year. Photo © Cory Shaw

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Arizona Metals AZ (buff.ly/3OrxMwL )for being the outstanding donor in our donation matching initiative (contributions made during our year-end appeal will be matched up to $2,500. Use QR code below to donate to BCHP.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we take this time to thank you. Whether through visits, volunteering, donations, or spreading the word, your support has made a significant impact. Thank you for being a part of our journey. buff.ly/3Y332YF #BCHP

Plant of week - Arizona Thistle (Cirsium arizonicum). Native. Elevation 3,000 to 12,000 feet so may not be the best for downtown Black Canyon City. Grows 1 to 4 feet high. Perennial or biennial. A favorite for some butterflies and birds. © Paul Santori

Bird of week - Belted Kingfisher. Stocky and large-headed with a shaggy crest. Bill is long, straight, thick, and pointed. Female more brightly colored than male Powder blue above with white underparts and blue breast band. Females have additional rusty band across belly.

Before Midnight: Make 2X the impact. Thanks to Rickey, Steve, Ann, and Bob for their donations totalling $1,191 which will be doubled thanks to Arizona Metals and 2 Anonymous Donors! Donate by12/31 to BCHP! Every gift made to BCHP will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $2,500.

bcheritagepark This you — someone who knows we can’t wait for tomorrow to protect the future. Be an Earth Giver. 📷Support nonprofits leading solutions for: 📷 Wildlife protection makes our shared tomorrow possible - earthgives.org/organization/B… #EarthGives2025

🎉 Fresh. Bright. Easy. Our NEW website is live! 🌿🐦 Dive in here: blackcanyonheritagepark.org 🙌 Thanks OrangeSky Websites!

Flow Forward Creative Challenge — Now easier to enter! Students 5–17: submit art, writing, photos, or video showing how you see water. 🏆 Win up to $100 • 📅 Deadline Jan 15, 2026 📄 Direct application & submission form (PDF): 👉 blackcanyonheritagepark.org/cms/wp-content…