Hudson Bay and James Bay Lowlands is an ecoregion extending from Herchmer in northeastern Manitoba to the Fort Rupert/Waskaganish area on the east side of James Bay, Quebec, characterized by short cool summers, very cold winters, and poorly drained wetlands supported by marine sediments and widespread permafrost.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands
CEC Level III Code
4.1.2
CEC Level II Code
4.1 Hudson Plain
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Hudson Bay and Hames Lowlands |
| Geographic Range | This ecoregion extends from Herchmer in northeastern Manitoba through to the Fort Rupert/Waskaganish area on the east side of James Bay, Quebec. |
| Climate Snapshot | The region is characterized by short cool summers and very cold winters, with mean annual temperatures ranging from about -3.5°C to -2°C, and mean annual precipitation between less than 500 to 800 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | This lowland area is part of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, with maximum elevations of about 120 m in the south, characterized by extensive marine sediments supporting poorly drained wetlands and widespread permafrost. |
| Vegetation Cover | The area is poorly drained, featuring wetlands with cottongrass, sedge, sphagnum hummocks, and mosses, along with open stands of stunted black spruce and tamarack, while drier sites support white spruce and lichen ground cover. |
| Wildlife Habitat | Barren-ground caribou, moose, lynx, wolf, snowshoe hare, and various birds like willow ptarmigan, snow and Canada goose, ruffed grouse, and shorebirds inhabit the Hudson Bay and James Bay Lowlands. |
Eco snapshot
The area is poorly drained, featuring wetlands with cottongrass, sedge, sphagnum hummocks, and mosses, along with open stands of stunted black spruce and tamarack, while drier sites support white spruce and lichen ground cover.
Barren-ground caribou, moose, lynx, wolf, snowshoe hare, and various birds like willow ptarmigan, snow and Canada goose, ruffed grouse, and shorebirds inhabit the Hudson Bay and James Bay Lowlands.
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 as soon as conditions allow; safe shelter | Plan a small patch; protect existing native plants; avoid “spring clean-up” that removes shelter too early |
| Spring | Nectar/pollen to start the season; nesting sites | Add a few site-appropriate native plants; keep some bare/undisturbed ground; avoid pesticides |
| Summer | Steady blooms; water access; shade/shelter on hot/windy days | Aim for continuous bloom; provide a shallow water dish with stones (where practical); keep flowering areas undisturbed |
| Late summer/fall | “Last chance” nectar/pollen; places to overwinter | Plant or protect late-blooming natives; leave seedheads and stems; reduce mowing/clearing |
| Winter or Dry Season | Overwintering habitat (stems, leaf litter, soil) | Leave natural debris in place; avoid disturbing ground and dead stems until the next growing season is truly underway |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming natives that can handle cool, wet conditions.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that keep nectar and pollen available.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters/goldenrods in suitable sites) to help pollinators prepare for 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.
