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Region profile

Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains

Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains is a region extending over most of the St. Elias and Wrangell Mountains, characterized by a dry continental climate, permanent ice and snowfields, very steep rugged mountains of volcanic origin with some of North America's highest peaks, and land uses dominated by protected areas and recreational activities.

Zone

Interior

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

6.1.4

CEC Level II Code

6.1 Boreal Cordillera

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains region, located in Alaska and Yukon, presents a challenging yet vital habitat for pollinators. Its vast, remote landscape is characterized by extreme temperature shifts and high elevations. Factors like short growing seasons and cold weather limit floral resources and pollinator activity. Climate change, leading to glacial melt and shifting ecosystems, poses a significant threat to delicate alpine pollinator-plant relationships. However, its undeveloped status minimizes threats from pesticides and habitat fragmentation, making it a critical baseline for studying resilient arctic and alpine species.

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Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains, CEC 6.1.4, Wrangell and St. Elias Mountains (Wrangell–St. Elias Mountains, Wrangell & St. Elias Mountains)
Geographic Range	This region extends over most of the St. Elias Mountains in southwestern Yukon and the Wrangell Mountains in southeastern Alaska.
Climate Snapshot	The area has a mostly dry continental climate with short summers and cold winters, featuring mean annual temperatures between approximately -6°C to -1°C in major valley bottoms, and precipitation ranging from 300 mm at low elevations to over 2,000 mm in the ice fields.
Terrain Profile	This region features very steep, rugged mountains of volcanic origin, extensively covered by ice fields and glaciers, with some of the highest peaks in North America, ranging up to 6,000 masl, and high-relief topography exposed to active volcanism, erosion, and glacial scouring.
Vegetation Cover	The area consists of permanent ice and snowfields combined with rock outcrops, colluvium, and alpine tundra featuring low-growing heather, dwarf birch, willow, scattered white spruce and alder, as well as herbs and lichens, with wet sites supporting cottongrass and sedge.
Wildlife Habitat	The area is largely a barren habitat for wildlife, though caribou, moose, grizzly bear, Dall's sheep, mountain goat, gray wolves, and wolverines can be observed.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Climate pattern notes are being added.

Vegetation profile

The area consists of permanent ice and snowfields combined with rock outcrops, colluvium, and alpine tundra featuring low-growing heather, dwarf birch, willow, scattered white spruce and alder, as well as herbs and lichens, with wet sites supporting cottongrass and sedge.

Wildlife profile

The area is largely a barren habitat for wildlife, though caribou, moose, grizzly bear, Dall’s sheep, mountain goat, gray wolves, and wolverines can be observed.

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 emerge; shelter from cold/wind	Leave stems and leaf litter in place; plan early-blooming natives; avoid “spring cleanup” that removes shelter
Spring	Reliable early blooms; safe water sources; nesting sites	Plant/maintain early flowers (often shrubs and early perennials); keep some bare, well-drained soil patches; avoid pesticides
Summer	Continuous bloom; diverse flower shapes; hydration	Add mid-season bloomers; water new plantings; plant in clumps; include a shallow water dish with stones for landing
Late summer/fall	Late blooms to fuel overwintering; places to hide	Add late-season flowers; stop deadheading some plants so they can set seed; leave stems standing
Winter or Dry Season	Overwintering habitat (stems, leaf litter, soil cavities)	Don’t cut everything back; avoid disturbing soil; keep a “messy” corner for shelter

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

In short-season mountain areas, a seed mix (or plant plan) works best when it’s designed for overlap:

Spring starter

Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs and hardy early perennials) to kick off the season.

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: the main bloom wave that carries pollinators through peak activity.

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late bloomers (like asters/goldenrods where appropriate) to extend the season as long as conditions allow.

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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