Arctic Foothills is an ecoregion occurring west of the Mackenzie River in the Yukon Territory, Canada, continuing along the coast of the Beaufort Sea through to Point Hope in northwestern Alaska, characterized by a mostly dry, polar tundra climate with rolling hills and plateaus, continuous permafrost, and shrubby tundra vegetation.
Zone
Arctic
Common Name
Arctic Foothills
CEC Level III Code
2.2.2
CEC Level II Code
2.2 Alaska Tundra
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Arctic Foothills, CEC 2.2.2 |
| Geographic Range | The Arctic Foothills ecoregion is located west of the Mackenzie River in the Yukon Territory, Canada, extending along the Beaufort Sea coast to Point Hope in northwestern Alaska. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Arctic Foothills ecoregion has a mostly dry, polar tundra climate with cool to cold summers and very cold winters, featuring a mean annual temperature of approximately -11°C and mean annual precipitation ranging from less than 200 to 350 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The landforms of the Arctic Foothills ecoregion are mostly rolling hills and plateaus that grade from the coastal plain on the north to the Brooks Range on the south, with dominant marine and alluvial sediments. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region is predominantly treeless, supporting a nearly continuous cover of shrubby tundra vegetation including dwarf birch, willow, alders, northern Labrador tea, Dryas spp., and sedge tussocks. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Arctic Foothills support the Porcupine caribou herd's calving and summer range, along with species like muskox, various foxes, gray wolf, brown bear, arctic ground squirrel, and a diversity of birds and fish. |
Eco snapshot
The region is predominantly treeless, supporting a nearly continuous cover of shrubby tundra vegetation including dwarf birch, willow, alders, northern Labrador tea, Dryas spp., and sedge tussocks.
The Arctic Foothills support the Porcupine caribou herd’s calving and summer range, along with species like muskox, various foxes, gray wolf, brown bear, arctic ground squirrel, and a diversity of birds and fish.
Seasonal timing
Yearly needs
What pollinators need throughout the year, and what to do about it.
| Season | What pollinators need most | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter/early spring | Early food sources and safe shelter as temperatures shift | Plan a pesticide-free patch in your home region; choose at least one early-blooming native plant |
| Spring | Steady nectar/pollen and nesting sites | Plant or pot up native flowers where you live; leave some bare soil and stems for nesting |
| Summer | Continuous bloom and water access | Add “bridge” blooms (mid-season flowers); provide a shallow water source with landing stones |
| Late summer/fall | Late blooms and places to overwinter | Plant late-season natives; stop deadheading everything; leave seed heads and leaf litter in corners |
| Winter or Dry Season | Undisturbed shelter (in soil, stems, leaf litter) | Avoid heavy fall cleanup; delay spring cleanup until warmer weather in your home region |
What You Can Do
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.
Native plants
Alders are fast-growing trees in the genus Alnus that are especially useful in damp spots and along edges where you want quick cover and early-season pollen for insects.
Asters are late-season wildflowers that bring a burst of daisy-like blooms when many gardens are winding down, making them a reliable choice for pollinator-friendly planting.
Birches are graceful trees in the genus Betula, known for their often light-colored bark and early-season pollen and catkins that support springtime insects.
Blueberries and huckleberries (genus Vaccinium) are berry-producing shrubs with spring flowers that can support pollinators and later feed people and wildlife—great for gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
Clovers are small, easygoing plants in the genus Trifolium that can add nectar and pollen to gardens, lawns, and pots while helping cover bare soil.
Fireweed is a tough, fast-growing wildflower in the genus Chamerion that brings bright pink blooms and lots of pollinator activity to sunny, open spaces.
Fleabanes (genus Erigeron) are easygoing wildflowers with daisy-like blooms that can brighten gardens, schoolyards, and balcony pots while offering steady nectar and pollen for many small pollinators.
Goldenrods are tough, sunny wildflowers in the genus Solidago that light up late-season gardens with golden blooms and provide reliable nectar and pollen when many other flowers are fading.
Kinnikinnick is a tough, low-growing evergreen groundcover in the genus Arctostaphylos (often called bearberry) that forms a tidy mat and offers small spring flowers followed by red berries.
Manzanitas are tough, beautiful western shrubs with urn-shaped flowers that can feed early-season pollinators and evergreen leaves that keep gardens looking good year-round.
Poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods (genus Populus) are fast-growing trees best known for their fluttering leaves and soft “cottony” seeds. They can support early-season pollinators with spring catkins, but they’re also big, thirsty, and often short-lived in small yards—so they’re best chosen with space and roots in mind.
Rushes are tough, grass-like wetland plants (genus Juncus) that thrive in damp soil and help create calm, sheltered habitat at the edges of ponds, rain gardens, and low spots.
Sedges (genus Carex) are grass-like plants that form tidy clumps and thrive in many garden conditions, especially where soil stays a bit damp. They add texture, cover bare ground, and can support small wildlife by providing shelter and nesting material.
Willowherbs (genus Epilobium) are easygoing wildflowers that pop up in sunny, open spots and offer simple, nectar-rich blooms that many small pollinators can use.
Willows are fast-growing trees and shrubs in the genus Salix that offer some of the earliest pollen and nectar of the year, making them a strong choice for pollinator-friendly yards, parks, and school grounds.
Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
Pollinators
Adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms; their presence is a sign of diverse, functioning habitats.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Many visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while also playing important roles in local food webs.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
Adults can help move pollen as they nectar at flowers, and their caterpillars are an important part of local food webs.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
Many small moths move pollen while feeding on nectar, supporting wild plants and garden blooms—especially in the evening and at night.
Many adults visit flowers for nectar and can move pollen between blooms while feeding.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
