Coastal Western Hemlock-Sitka Spruce Forests is a mountainous region extending along the Pacific coast from Alaska to British Columbia, characterized by a mild to severe marine West Coast climate, and known for its productive forestlands and diverse wildlife, including black-tailed deer, American elk, and salmon.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Coastal Western Hemlock-Sitka Spruce Forests
CEC Level III Code
7.1.5
CEC Level II Code
7.1 Marine West Coast Forest
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Coastal Western Hemlock-Sitka Spruce Forests, Coastal Western Hemlock Sitka Spruce Forests, CEC 7.1.5 |
| Geographic Range | This region extends intermittently along the Pacific coast from Homer, Alaska, south to the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. |
| Climate Snapshot | The ecoregion has a mild to severe, mid-latitude, marine West Coast climate with cool to warm, moist summers and very wet but mildly cold winters. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by mountainous terrain with numerous peaks and ridges, deep, U-shaped valleys carved by glaciers, and rocky headlands and sea cliffs along the coast, with mountains reaching up to 2,200 meters above sea level. |
| Vegetation Cover | Low elevations feature stands of western hemlock, Douglas fir, and amabilis fir, with mountain hemlock and subalpine fir dominating subalpine regions, and alpine tundra supporting dwarf willow, sedge, fescue grass, and forbs. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The wildlife includes black-tailed deer, American elk, grizzly and black bear, wolf, mountain goat, mink, otter, raccoon, bald eagle, grouse, marbled murrelet, seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, rough-skinned newt, dolly varden, and sockeye salmon. |
Eco snapshot
Low elevations feature stands of western hemlock, Douglas fir, and amabilis fir, with mountain hemlock and subalpine fir dominating subalpine regions, and alpine tundra supporting dwarf willow, sedge, fescue grass, and forbs.
The wildlife includes black-tailed deer, American elk, grizzly and black bear, wolf, mountain goat, mink, otter, raccoon, bald eagle, grouse, marbled murrelet, seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, rough-skinned newt, dolly varden, and sockeye salmon.
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; sunny, wind-sheltered foraging spots | Plant/maintain early bloomers; protect sunny edges; leave some leaf litter and stems in place |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up | Add a mix of spring flowers and shrubs; keep some bare soil; avoid mulch everywhere |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; water sources during dry spells | Plant mid-season natives; provide a shallow water dish with stones; avoid mowing all flowers at once |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar to fuel overwintering; seed/structure for shelter | Plant late bloomers; leave seed heads; reduce fall cleanup |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from weather; undisturbed nesting/overwintering sites | Leave stems, logs, and leaf litter; avoid disturbing soil and dead wood until warmer weather returns |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming shrubs and woodland-edge flowers to feed emerging pollinators
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that keep nectar/pollen available through the warm months
Fall finisher: late-season flowers (often asters/goldenrods-type plants) to support end-of-season foraging and overwintering preparation
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
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.
Blackberries and raspberries (genus Rubus) are flowering bramble shrubs that can feed pollinators in bloom and people later with tasty berries—great for yards, school gardens, and even large containers with support.
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.
Buttonbush is a wetland shrub known for its round, pincushion-like flower clusters that draw in many pollinators. It’s a great choice for rain gardens, pond edges, and any spot that stays consistently moist.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
Camas (Camassia spp.) is a spring-blooming bulb with starry blue-to-purple flowers that can light up sunny meadows and garden beds while offering early-season nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
Currants and gooseberries are Ribes shrubs that offer early-season flowers for pollinators and later berries for people and wildlife. They’re a great choice for edible landscapes, mixed borders, and small yards where you want a plant that does more than one job.
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.
Hyssops (Agastache) are fragrant, long-blooming wildflowers that are easy to grow and popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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.
Milkweeds are tough, nectar-rich wildflowers in the genus Asclepias that can turn a garden bed, schoolyard edge, or even a sunny pot into a pollinator stop.
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
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.
Serviceberries (genus Amelanchier) are small trees with early-season blossoms, edible berries, and strong wildlife value—an easy way to add beauty and pollinator support to a yard, school garden, or even a large container.
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
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.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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 and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
