Cook Inlet is a south-central Alaskan ecoregion adjacent to Cook Inlet that features one of the mildest climates in Alaska, with mixed forests and abundant aquatic features, supporting a large portion of the state's settlement and development.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Cook Inlet
CEC Level III Code
7.1.3
CEC Level II Code
7.1 Marine West Coast Forest
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Cook Inlet |
| Geographic Range | The Cook Inlet region occupies the south-central part of Alaska, adjacent to Cook Inlet. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Cook Inlet ecoregion has one of the mildest climates in Alaska, with a mix of maritime and continental influences, moderate seasonal temperature fluctuations, abundant precipitation, a mean annual temperature from -3°C to 3°C, and mean annual precipitation from 350 to 800 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain of the Cook Inlet Ecoregion is mostly level to rolling topography, featuring glaciated basin floors composed of fine-textured lacustrine deposits and surrounded by coarse-textured glacial tills and outwash, with occurrences of ground moraines, drumlin fields, eskers, and outwash plains. |
| Vegetation Cover | Mixed forests of white and Sitka spruce, aspen, and birch grow on better-drained sites, grading into tall shrub communities of willow and alder, while black spruce forests and woodlands occur on wetter sites, and Ericaceous shrubs are dominant in open bogs. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Cook Inlet region is home to moose, black bears, beavers, and a variety of waterfowl and fish, including king, sockeye, and silver salmon. |
Eco snapshot
Mixed forests of white and Sitka spruce, aspen, and birch grow on better-drained sites, grading into tall shrub communities of willow and alder, while black spruce forests and woodlands occur on wetter sites, and Ericaceous shrubs are dominant in open bogs.
The Cook Inlet region is home to moose, black bears, beavers, and a variety of waterfowl and fish, including king, sockeye, and silver salmon.
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; safe shelter as insects emerge | Plant/plan for early bloomers; leave some leaf litter and stems; avoid spring “deep clean” |
| Spring | A ramp-up of blooms; nesting sites | Add a few native flowering plants; keep some bare, well-drained soil; provide a shallow water dish with stones |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; water during dry spells; shade/shelter from wind | Fill bloom gaps with mid-season natives; water new plantings; add wind protection where possible |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar/pollen to fuel overwintering; seed/structure | Plant late bloomers; let some plants go to seed; reduce mowing and trimming |
| Winter or Dry Season | Undisturbed shelter (stems, leaf litter, soil) | Leave stems standing; keep leaf litter in garden corners; avoid disturbing soil until warmer weather |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs and early perennials) to support emerging insects.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that carry the highest activity period.
Fall finisher: late bloomers that prevent the end-of-season “nectar crash.”
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.
