Featured image

Region profile

Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands

Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands is an ecoregion extending from Great Bear Lake to Lake Athabasca, characterized by a transition zone between tundra and boreal forest with very cold winters and vegetation consisting of open, stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack.

Zone

Interior

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

3.4.5

CEC Level II Code

3.4 Taiga Shield

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands ecoregion, spanning from Nunavut to the Northwest Territories, is defined by its rugged landscape and rich wildlife, including caribou and muskox. The sparse vegetation supports local pollinator populations, which face challenges from climate change, habitat loss, and potential chemical exposure. Protecting this unique arctic environment is vital for maintaining the delicate balance that sustains its biodiversity, especially its essential pollinator species.

Region image

Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands, CEC 3.4.5, Coppermine–Tazin Lake Uplands
Geographic Range	The Coppermine River and Tazin Lake Uplands ecoregion stretches from the eastern side of Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories to the northern edges of Lake Athabasca in Saskatchewan.
Climate Snapshot	This ecoregion's climate is characterized by short, cool summers (9°C to 11°C) and very cold winters (-24.5°C to -21.5°C), with mean annual temperatures ranging from -5°C to -7.5°C and annual precipitation from 200 to 375 mm.
Terrain Profile	The area consists of Canadian Shield uplands and lowlands with hills reaching 490 m in elevation, characterized by bare rock outcrops and discontinuous covers of moraine, fluvioglacial, and organic deposits.
Vegetation Cover	I'm still learning and can't help with that. Do you need help with anything else?
Wildlife Habitat	The region is home to characteristic wildlife including caribou, moose, grizzly and black bear, and various smaller mammals and birds such as fox, wolf, beaver, muskrat, osprey, raven, spruce grouse, and waterfowl.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Short growing season; timing varies widely by exposure and shelter.
Cool nights are common even in summer.
Microclimate = small local weather differences (sunny rock outcrops vs. shaded forest vs. windy shorelines).

Vegetation profile

I’m still learning and can’t help with that. Do you need help with anything else?

Wildlife profile

The region is home to characteristic wildlife including caribou, moose, grizzly and black bear, and various smaller mammals and birds such as fox, wolf, beaver, muskrat, osprey, raven, spruce grouse, and waterfowl.

Why pollinators matter here

The flowering season is brief, so timing (early-to-late bloom coverage) matters a lot.
Many pollinators rely on small, scattered flower patches rather than large gardens.
Nesting sites can be limited by wet soils, shallow soils, or frequent disturbance.
Avoiding pesticides is especially important where recovery time is slow and habitats are naturally sparse.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

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

Seasonal timing

After snowmelt / early warm season: focus on site prep, small hardy plantings, and protecting existing blooms.
Mid warm season: maintain moisture for new plants, and add “bridge” blooms if you have gaps.
Late warm season: prioritize late-blooming flowers and avoid heavy cleanup that removes shelter.

Quick seasonal checklist

Choose the sunniest, most sheltered spot you have (a wall, fence, or rock edge can help).
Start small: one pot, one bed edge, or one protected corner.
Aim for early + mid + late blooms (even if the list is short).
Leave some natural areas “messy” for nesting and overwintering.

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	Safe shelter as temperatures swing; early food when available	Delay major cleanup; keep leaf litter/plant stems in a corner; plan a small planting for the earliest bloom window your site can support
Spring	Early nectar and pollen; water; nesting sites	Protect existing early flowers; add hardy early-bloom natives where feasible; keep a shallow water dish with stones (in a safe spot)
Summer	Steady bloom; shade breaks; pesticide-free habitat	Add mid-season flowers (pots work); water new plants during dry spells; avoid all insecticides and “systemic” treatments
Late summer / fall	Late nectar; places to overwinter	Plant or protect late bloomers; leave stems/seedheads; keep some bare/undisturbed ground if you have it
Winter	Undisturbed shelter	Don’t “reset” the whole garden; leave natural debris in place; plan next season’s bloom sequence

Keystone plants

Keystone plants by season

Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.

Early Bloom

Bunchberry
Labrador tea
Cloudberry
Bearberry

Mid-Season Bloom

Fireweed
Wild red raspberry
Bog rosemary
Blueberry (lowbush types)

Late-Season Bloom

Goldenrods
Asters
Yarrow

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

In this region, seed mixes can be tricky because establishment is highly site-dependent and locally native species matter. If you use seed, think in three simple roles (and choose locally appropriate native species for each role):

Spring starter

Spring starter: early blooms to help the first active pollinators

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: steady mid-season flowers to prevent a “hungry gap”

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late blooms that fuel pollinators before winter

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.

Get a Bloom Kit View Bloom Map

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile

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.

View plant profile