Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains is a region in southwestern Alaska with a moist subarctic climate, characterized by steep, rugged mountains separated by broad valleys and lowlands, where dwarf scrub communities are the predominant vegetation and principal activities include subsistence and recreational hunting and fishing, and mineral mining.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains
CEC Level III Code
7.1.1
CEC Level II Code
7.1 Marine West Coast Forest
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains, CEC 7.1.1, Ahklun–Kilbuck Mountains |
| Geographic Range | The Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains region is located in southwestern Alaska, adjoining Bristol and Kuskokwim Bays. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains ecoregion has a moist subarctic climate with cool summers, cold winters, a mean annual temperature of approximately -1°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from about 500 to over 2,000 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The dominant terrain consists of steep, sharp, often ringlike groupings of rugged mountains separated by broad, flat valleys and lowlands, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,500 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | Dwarf scrub communities are the dominant vegetation, supplemented by tall scrub, graminoid herbaceous communities, and some white spruce and hardwood stands in valleys, along with sedge-tussock tundra meadows in wet areas. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains are home to large mammals like moose and bears, various salmon species and trout, and numerous bird species, including tundra swans and emperor geese. |
Eco snapshot
Dwarf scrub communities are the dominant vegetation, supplemented by tall scrub, graminoid herbaceous communities, and some white spruce and hardwood stands in valleys, along with sedge-tussock tundra meadows in wet areas.
The Ahklun and Kilbuck Mountains are home to large mammals like moose and bears, various salmon species and trout, and numerous bird species, including tundra swans and emperor geese.
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 when insects first become active; shelter from wind/cold | Protect early-blooming native plants where they occur; plan a small planting for the sunniest spot; avoid any pesticide use |
| Spring | A steady ramp-up of blooms; nesting sites | Add early-blooming natives (or cold-hardy container plants where ground planting is hard); keep some bare/undisturbed soil patches; provide shallow water |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; diverse shapes/colors; safe foraging | Plant “bridge” blooms so there are no gaps; keep flowers pesticide-free; let some native shrubs/forbs bloom instead of mowing/clearing |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar to build reserves; places to shelter | Add late bloomers if practical; stop deadheading some plants so they can set seed; leave stems/leaves for shelter |
| Winter or Dry Season | Overwintering habitat (stems, leaf litter, protected ground) | Don’t over-tidy; leave plant stems standing; avoid disturbing likely nesting areas until the next growing season |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming natives (often shrubs like willows nearby, plus early forbs where feasible)
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season bloomers (for many sites, fireweed and berry shrubs are key)
Fall finisher: late-season flowers (choose locally native asters/goldenrods where they truly fit the site)
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
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.
Blackberries and raspberries (genus Rubus) are flowering bramble shrubs that can feed pollinators in bloom and people later with tasty berries—great for yards, school gardens, and even large containers with support.
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.
Buttonbush is a wetland shrub known for its round, pincushion-like flower clusters that draw in many pollinators. It’s a great choice for rain gardens, pond edges, and any spot that stays consistently moist.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
Camas (Camassia spp.) is a spring-blooming bulb with starry blue-to-purple flowers that can light up sunny meadows and garden beds while offering early-season nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
Currants and gooseberries are Ribes shrubs that offer early-season flowers for pollinators and later berries for people and wildlife. They’re a great choice for edible landscapes, mixed borders, and small yards where you want a plant that does more than one job.
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.
Hyssops (Agastache) are fragrant, long-blooming wildflowers that are easy to grow and popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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.
Milkweeds are tough, nectar-rich wildflowers in the genus Asclepias that can turn a garden bed, schoolyard edge, or even a sunny pot into a pollinator stop.
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
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.
Serviceberries (genus Amelanchier) are small trees with early-season blossoms, edible berries, and strong wildlife value—an easy way to add beauty and pollinator support to a yard, school garden, or even a large container.
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
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.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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 and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
