Cypress Uplands is a cool and moist ecoregion spanning southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, characterized by mixed montane-type forests and unique flora and fauna that rise abruptly above the surrounding plains.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Cypress Upland
CEC Level III Code
6.2.6
CEC Level II Code
6.2 Western Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Cypress Upland, CEC 6.2.6 |
| Geographic Range | The Cypress Uplands ecoregion is located in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate of the Cypress Uplands is cooler and moister than the surrounding plains, with a mean annual temperature of approximately 3°C, mean summer temperature of 15°C, mean winter temperature of -9°C, and mean annual precipitation ranging from 325 to 450 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The Cypress Hills rise abruptly 400-500 m above the surrounding plains, sloping eastwards from a maximum elevation of 1,465 masl at the west side, with upper plateau sections being unglaciated and covered in glacial moraine or Aeolian deposits. |
| Vegetation Cover | The Cypress Uplands feature mixed montane-type open forests of lodgepole pine, deciduous trees, and shrubs at higher elevations, transitioning to fescue and wheatgrass grasslands at lower elevations. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Cypress Uplands are home to characteristic wildlife such as deer and antelope, and are notable for containing Audubon's warbler, a unique bird not found elsewhere on the prairies. |
Eco snapshot
The Cypress Uplands feature mixed montane-type open forests of lodgepole pine, deciduous trees, and shrubs at higher elevations, transitioning to fescue and wheatgrass grasslands at lower elevations.
The Cypress Uplands are home to characteristic wildlife such as deer and antelope, and are notable for containing Audubon’s warbler, a unique bird not found elsewhere on the prairies.
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 | Keep some leaf litter/stems in place; plant/plan early bloomers; avoid spring pesticide “cleanup” sprays |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up | Plant native spring flowers; leave patches of bare soil; add a small brush/wood corner |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen; water; shade/shelter during heat | Add mid-summer bloomers; provide shallow water; keep flowers coming in waves |
| Late summer/fall | High-energy late blooms; undisturbed nesting/shelter prep | Plant late bloomers; reduce mowing/cutting; leave seedheads and stems standing |
| Winter or Dry Season | Protected overwintering sites (or dry-season refuge) | Avoid heavy fall cleanup; keep stems/leaf litter; plan next season’s plant additions |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators as they emerge.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry pollinators through the main foraging months.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters/goldenrods in many regions) that provide crucial end-of-season fuel.
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.
