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Region profile

Oglivie Mountains

Ogilvie Mountains is a region within the Taiga Cordillera that occupies the northern, unglaciated portions of the Ogilvie and Wernecke mountains with a severe subarctic climate, continuous permafrost, and elevations mostly between 1,400 to 2,200 masl.

Zone

Interior

Common Name

Oglivie Mountains

CEC Level III Code

3.2.1

CEC Level II Code

3.2 Taiga Cordillera

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Ogilvie Mountains ecoregion, located in the Yukon Territory, features an environment challenging for pollinators. Its mountainous, high-latitude climate means short growing seasons and cold temperatures, which can limit the diversity and activity of insects like bees, butterflies, and moths. Pollination here relies on cold-adapted species and abiotic factors like wind. Factors such as localized gold mining and subsistence activities introduce potential, though minimal, human impact. Conservation efforts are crucial to support the unique high-mountain flora and their pollinators.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Oglivie Mountains
Geographic Range	The Taiga Cordillera extends across the northern, unglaciated Ogilvie and Wernecke mountains and associated intermontane basins, and includes parts of the Porcupine Plateau.
Climate Snapshot	The Ogilvie Mountains region has a severe, mid-latitude, subarctic climate with a mean annual temperature of approximately -6°C, a summer mean of 9.5°C, a winter mean of -23°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from 300 to 600 mm.
Terrain Profile	The Ogilvie Mountains region consists of the northern portions of unglaciated mountains and intermontane basins with elevations mostly between 1,400 to 2,200 masl, where bedrock is dominated by limestone and shale, and the surface cover is coarse rubbly to fine colluvium.
Vegetation Cover	The vegetation primarily consists of open stands of white and black spruce growing with shrubs, dwarf willow, birch, moss, and lichen, while many mountain slopes are largely devoid of vegetation.
Wildlife Habitat	Characteristic wildlife of the Ogilvie Mountains includes caribou, grizzly and black bear, Dall's sheep, moose, beaver, fox, wolf, hare, lynx, raven, rock and willow ptarmigan, bald and golden eagle, and salmon.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Climate pattern notes are being added.

Vegetation profile

The vegetation primarily consists of open stands of white and black spruce growing with shrubs, dwarf willow, birch, moss, and lichen, while many mountain slopes are largely devoid of vegetation.

Wildlife profile

Characteristic wildlife of the Ogilvie Mountains includes caribou, grizzly and black bear, Dall’s sheep, moose, beaver, fox, wolf, hare, lynx, raven, rock and willow ptarmigan, bald and golden eagle, and salmon.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinator impact notes are being added.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Seasonal timing notes are being added.

Quick seasonal checklist

Seasonal checklist notes are being added.

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

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 when insects first become active; safe shelter	Keep some leaf litter/plant stems; plan for early-blooming natives; avoid spring pesticide use
Spring	A ramp-up of flowers; nesting sites	Plant/encourage early bloomers; leave some bare, well-drained soil; add a small brush/rock pile for shelter
Summer	Steady nectar/pollen; water; shade/windbreaks	Add mid-season flowers in clumps; provide a shallow water source with landing stones; protect plantings from wind
Late summer/fall	“Finish-line” blooms; places to overwinter	Plant/encourage late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants; avoid fall “over-tidying”
Winter	Undisturbed shelter for overwintering insects	Leave stems, seedheads, and leaf litter; delay major cleanup until conditions warm again

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

In a short-season mountain region, a “seed mix” approach works best when it’s designed for hardy natives and timed for continuous bloom. Think in three layers:

Spring starter

Spring starter: early bloomers that provide the first food after snowmelt.

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry pollinators through peak activity.

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late bloomers that help pollinators build reserves before winter.

What You Can Do

Make a difference for native habitats.

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.

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Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

Alders

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.

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Asters

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.

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Birches

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.

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Blueberries & huckleberries

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.

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Clovers

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.

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Fireweed

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.

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Fleabanes

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.

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Goldenrods

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.

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Kinnikinnick

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.

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Manzanitas

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.

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Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods

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.

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Rushes

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.

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Sedges

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.

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Willowherbs

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.

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Willows

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.

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