Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Uplands is a region characterized by cool summers and very cold winters, high boreal coniferous forest dominated by black spruce and jack pine, numerous small lakes, Canadian Shield uplands and lowlands with permafrost, and dominant land uses including trapping, hunting, fishing, mining, and tourism.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland
CEC Level III Code
5.1.1
CEC Level II Code
5.1 Softwood Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland, CEC 5.1.1 |
| Geographic Range | This region extends from the south side of Lake Athabasca in Saskatchewan southeasterly to just west of Thompson, Manitoba, and is part of the Softwood Shield. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Uplands region is characterized by cool summers and very cold winters, with a mean annual temperature of approximately -2.5°C and annual precipitation ranging from 400 to 500 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain consists of uplands and lowlands on the Canadian Shield, featuring elevations that rarely exceed 25 m, with common exposed bedrock and moraine covers, and wetlands typical in depressional low areas. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is characterized by high boreal coniferous forest, predominantly closed stands of black spruce and jack pine with an ericaceous shrub layer and a ground cover of mosses and lichens, with black spruce as the climax species. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland is home to mammals such as barren-ground caribou, moose, and black bear, along with bird species including common loon, spruce grouse, and bald eagle. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is characterized by high boreal coniferous forest, predominantly closed stands of black spruce and jack pine with an ericaceous shrub layer and a ground cover of mosses and lichens, with black spruce as the climax species.
The Athabasca Plain and Churchill River Upland is home to mammals such as barren-ground caribou, moose, and black bear, along with bird species including common loon, spruce grouse, and bald eagle.
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 nectar/pollen; safe shelter as temperatures swing | Keep last year’s stems/leaves in place a bit longer; plan early-bloom natives for sunny edges |
| Spring | A steady ramp-up of blooms; nesting sites | Plant early and mid-season natives; leave some bare, well-drained soil patches for ground nesters |
| Summer | Reliable flowers during peak activity; water during dry spells | Aim for multiple species blooming at once; provide a shallow water dish with stones for landing |
| Late summer/fall | “Last chance” nectar/pollen; places to overwinter | Plant late bloomers; avoid cutting everything back; leave seedheads and stems standing |
| Winter or Dry Season | Undisturbed shelter (stems, leaf litter, soil cavities) | Don’t over-tidy; avoid soil disturbance; plan next season’s bloom sequence |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help the first active pollinators.
Summer bridge: steady mid-season flowers that carry the peak activity period.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters/goldenrods) that help pollinators fuel up before winter.
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.
