Region profile

Aleutian Islands

Aleutian Islands is an island chain in southwestern Alaska that is one of the most seismically and volcanically active areas in the world, with a cool maritime climate, and is important for marine mammals, waterfowl, and seabirds.

Zone

Coastal

Common Name

Aleutian Islands

CEC Level III Code

2.2.6

CEC Level II Code

2.2 Alaska Tundra

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Aleutian Islands ecoregion is characterized by a cool, maritime climate, high winds, and dense fog, which naturally limit insect pollinator activity. The dominant vegetation is tundra and low-growing shrubs. Factors affecting pollinators include the extreme weather, which reduces foraging time, and the limited diversity of flora. While agricultural pesticide use is low, invasive species and climate change impacts on native plant communities pose risks to the local pollinator populations, which rely on hardy, native blooms.

Region image

Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Aleutian Islands, CEC 2.2.6, Aleutian Island chain
Geographic Range	The Aleutian Islands are a seismically and volcanically active island chain in southwestern Alaska, marking the southern boundary of the Bering Sea.
Climate Snapshot	The Aleutian Islands experience a cool maritime climate with cold ocean winds, near-constant clouds and fog, a mean annual temperature of about 3°C, and annual precipitation ranging from 800 mm to over 2,000 mm, generally free from permafrost.
Terrain Profile	The Aleutian Islands consist of a chain of glaciated and rubble-strewn volcanic islands that are crowned by steep volcanoes, indented with fjords, and bordered by sea cliffs, with elevations ranging from sea level to over 1,900 masl.
Vegetation Cover	Vegetation consists mainly of dwarf scrub communities at higher, exposed elevations and graminoid herbaceous communities in protected sites, featuring a blend of North American and Asian flora.
Wildlife Habitat	The Aleutian Islands are critical for marine mammals like northern fur seals and sea otters, various waterfowl including emperor geese, and host one of North America's largest nesting populations of seabirds.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Maritime conditions often mean cool temperatures and frequent wind
Salt spray can stress plants near shorelines
Microclimates (small local weather differences) can make one garden spot much more workable than another

Vegetation profile

Vegetation consists mainly of dwarf scrub communities at higher, exposed elevations and graminoid herbaceous communities in protected sites, featuring a blend of North American and Asian flora.

Wildlife profile

The Aleutian Islands are critical for marine mammals like northern fur seals and sea otters, various waterfowl including emperor geese, and host one of North America’s largest nesting populations of seabirds.

Why pollinators matter here

Short flowering windows make “bloom timing” especially important
Windy conditions can reduce pollinator activity on exposed sites
Small patches of flowers can act like “refueling stops” in sheltered areas
Avoiding pesticides helps protect limited local pollinator communities

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

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

Seasonal timing

Early season: Watch for the first thawed, workable soil in sheltered spots
Main growing season: Focus on steady bloom and wind-tough plants
Late season: Prioritize late flowers and leave stems/leaf litter for shelter

Quick seasonal checklist

Pick the most sheltered planting location you have (sun + windbreak)
Plant in clumps to make flowers easier for pollinators to find
Add a simple water source (shallow dish with stones) in calm spots
Stop “over-tidying” at the end of the season—leave habitat in place

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 food when insects first become active; safe shelter	Keep last year’s stems/leaves in place a bit longer; plan a sheltered planting spot; avoid any pesticide use
Spring	Reliable early blooms; protection from wind and cold snaps	Plant or maintain early-blooming natives in clumps; use windbreaks (fence, shrubs, rock edging) where appropriate
Summer	Continuous nectar/pollen; water; nesting materials	Aim for “no bloom gaps”; add a shallow water dish with stones; leave some bare/undisturbed soil in a protected area
Late summer / fall	Late blooms; places to overwinter	Plant/encourage late flowers; leave seed heads and stems; reduce fall cleanup
Winter	Undisturbed shelter	Don’t cut everything down; avoid disturbing likely nesting areas; plan next season’s bloom sequence

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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