Watson Highlands is a region extending from west of Dawson in the Yukon southeast into northeastern British Columbia, characterized by rolling uplands, small mountain groups, and nearly level tablelands, with extensive open forests of white spruce and other species, moderate to low density river systems, and land uses including mining, recreation, hunting, and trapping.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Watson Highlands
CEC Level III Code
6.1.5
CEC Level II Code
6.1 Boreal Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Watson Highlands, CEC 6.1.5 |
| Geographic Range | This region extends from west of Dawson in the Yukon southeast into northeastern British Columbia. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Watson Highlands has a cold climate with a mean annual temperature of approximately -3.5°C (summers at 10.5°C and winters at -19.5°C) and mean annual precipitation ranging from 225 to 1,000 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain includes rolling uplands, small mountain groups, and nearly level tablelands dissected by valleys, with a maximum elevation reaching up to 2,400 m. |
| Vegetation Cover | Extensive open forests of white spruce, often mixed with dwarf willow, birch, ericaceous shrubs, and sometimes lodgepole pine, dominate the landscape, while black spruce and scrub are found in poorly drained sites, and alpine fir and alpine vegetation occur at higher elevations. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Watson Highlands are home to various wildlife, including caribou, grizzly and black bear, Dall's sheep, moose, beaver, fox, wolf, hare, raven, rock and willow ptarmigan, and golden eagle. |
Eco snapshot
Extensive open forests of white spruce, often mixed with dwarf willow, birch, ericaceous shrubs, and sometimes lodgepole pine, dominate the landscape, while black spruce and scrub are found in poorly drained sites, and alpine fir and alpine vegetation occur at higher elevations.
The Watson Highlands are home to various wildlife, including caribou, grizzly and black bear, Dall’s sheep, moose, beaver, fox, wolf, hare, raven, rock and willow ptarmigan, and golden 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 and pollen when few flowers are available | Prioritize early-blooming native shrubs/perennials; avoid spring pesticide use; leave some leaf litter/plant stems until weather is consistently mild |
| Spring | Steady food and safe nesting starts | Plant or protect spring bloomers; add bare, well-drained soil patches for ground nesters; provide a shallow water source with landing stones |
| Summer | Continuous blooms and heat/drought support (site-dependent) | Fill bloom gaps with mid-season natives; water new plantings as needed; keep some areas “messy” (stems/wood) for nesting |
| Late summer / fall | High-energy nectar for late-season insects and next-year queens | Add late bloomers; avoid cutting everything back; let some seedheads and stems stand |
| Winter | Shelter and undisturbed nesting/overwintering sites | Leave stems, leaf litter, and some dead wood; avoid heavy fall cleanup; plan next year’s bloom sequence |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming species (and/or shrubs) that provide the first food after winter.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season bloomers that carry pollinators through peak activity.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that help late-season insects and next-year queens fuel up.
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.
