Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains is a rugged ecoregion extending from the northern Yukon east-west through northern Alaska, characterized by a dry polar climate, alpine tundra and subalpine open woodland, deeply dissected mountains, and land uses restricted primarily to subsistence activities, hunting, trapping, and, in the US portion, mining.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains
CEC Level III Code
2.3.1
CEC Level II Code
2.3 Brooks Range Tundra
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains, Brooks Range Richardson Mountains, CEC 2.3.1, Brooks Range–Richardson Mountains |
| Geographic Range | The Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains region extends from the Richardson Mountains in the northern Yukon, traversing east-west through much of northern Alaska, and is sometimes considered the northern extension of the Rocky Mountains. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Brooks Range/Richardson Mountains ecoregion has a dry polar climate with short, cool summers (mean 6.5°C) and long, cold winters (mean -25°C), and mean annual precipitation ranging from 200 to 600 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region consists of rugged, deeply dissected mountains carved from uplifted Paleozoic and Mesozoic rock, with elevations ranging from 800 masl in the west to 2,400 masl in the central and eastern Brooks Range, underlain by extensive permafrost. |
| Vegetation Cover | The ecoregion is characterized by alpine tundra at upper elevations with lichens and dwarf shrubs, and subalpine open woodland at lower elevations featuring stunted white spruce and dwarf birch. |
| Wildlife Habitat | Characteristic wildlife includes caribou, grizzly bear, Dall's sheep, moose, and gray wolf, with the area being within the annual migration range of the Porcupine caribou herd. |
Eco snapshot
The ecoregion is characterized by alpine tundra at upper elevations with lichens and dwarf shrubs, and subalpine open woodland at lower elevations featuring stunted white spruce and dwarf birch.
Characteristic wildlife includes caribou, grizzly bear, Dall’s sheep, moose, and gray wolf, with the area being within the annual migration range of the Porcupine caribou herd.
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 | Safe shelter; early food sources when conditions allow | Plan a small, sheltered patch; avoid buying pesticide-treated plants; learn what’s native for your exact community. |
| Spring | Early blooms; nesting sites that aren’t disturbed | If planting is possible, start with a few hardy native plants; avoid disturbing bare ground that could be nesting habitat. |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen; water access; wind breaks | Keep a steady sequence of blooms (even a few plants help); provide a shallow water dish with stones; reduce mowing/trampling near flowers. |
| Late summer/fall | Late blooms; places to overwinter | Leave stems and leaf litter; avoid fall “yard cleanup” that removes shelter; keep any late flowers going as long as they naturally last. |
| Winter or Dry Season | Protected overwintering habitat | Do nothing to “tidy” habitat; keep natural cover in place; plan next season’s additions based on what survived. |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early-blooming, cold-tolerant natives (where they can establish).
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that carry the main nectar/pollen supply.
Fall finisher: late bloomers to extend the season as long as conditions allow.
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.
