Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Uplands is an area extending from Lake Winnipeg to past Lake Nipigon, characterized by warm summers and very cold winters, with coniferous forests, numerous small lakes, and major land uses including forestry, recreation, and hunting.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Upland
CEC Level III Code
5.1.2
CEC Level II Code
5.1 Softwood Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Upland, CEC 5.1.2 |
| Geographic Range | The Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Uplands area extends eastward from Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba to just past Lake Nipigon in southwestern Ontario. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Lake Nipigon and Lac Seul Uplands region has a climate marked by warm summers (mean 14°C) and very cold winters (mean -14.5°C), with a mean annual temperature of approximately 1°C and mean annual precipitation ranging from 450 mm to 800 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain is characterized by the uplands and lowlands of the Canadian Shield, featuring outcrops and moraine covers, with elevations generally below 360 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region is dominated by coniferous forests, primarily featuring white spruce, balsam fir, and black spruce, with scattered areas of mixed forests, trembling aspen, and balsam poplar, and poorly drained areas covered by black spruce bogs and fens. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The region is home to a variety of mammals including wolf, moose, and black bear, alongside bird species such as the spruce grouse, bald eagle, and various waterfowl. |
Eco snapshot
The region is dominated by coniferous forests, primarily featuring white spruce, balsam fir, and black spruce, with scattered areas of mixed forests, trembling aspen, and balsam poplar, and poorly drained areas covered by black spruce bogs and fens.
The region is home to a variety of mammals including wolf, moose, and black bear, alongside bird species such as the spruce grouse, bald eagle, and various waterfowl.
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 places to warm up and nest | Plant/plan for early bloomers; avoid spring pesticide use; leave some leaf litter and stems until weather is consistently mild |
| Spring | Steady blooms; nesting sites (soil, stems, cavities) | Add spring-flowering natives; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; install a simple bee house only if you can maintain it |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen; water during dry spells | Plant mid-summer “bridge” flowers; water new plants; include a shallow water source |
| Late summer / fall | High-energy nectar; late pollen; overwintering prep | Plant late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants so they can set seed; leave stems standing |
| Winter | Shelter for overwintering insects; undisturbed habitat | Leave stems/seedheads; avoid heavy fall cleanup; keep brush/leaf piles in a corner if possible |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators as soon as they emerge.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that prevent the “June/July gap” in some gardens.
Fall finisher: late-season asters/goldenrods and other finishers that fuel overwintering prep.
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.
