Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills is an ecoregion stretching from central Washington to northern California, characterized by a continental climate, open forests of ponderosa pine, and landforms including mountains and high plateaus, with land uses dominated by forestry, recreation, and grazing.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills
CEC Level III Code
6.2.8
CEC Level II Code
6.2 Western Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills, CEC 6.2.8, Eastern Cascades Slopes & Foothills, East Cascades Slopes and Foothills, Eastern Cascade Slopes and Foothills |
| Geographic Range | The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills ecoregion is located in the rainshadow of the Cascades, extending from central Washington to northern California. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills have a continental climate with warm, dry summers, cold winters, greater temperature extremes, and less precipitation than areas to the west, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 2°C to 11°C. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by gently to steeply sloping mountains and high plateaus, with common volcanic cones and buttes, and elevations ranging from 300 to over 2,500 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region is characterized by open forests of ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine, grading to Douglas fir and other fir species at higher elevations, and sagebrush and steppe vegetation at the lowest elevations. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills region is home to a variety of large mammals like black bear and deer, along with raptors such as the bald and golden eagles, and several salmon and trout species. |
Eco snapshot
The region is characterized by open forests of ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine, grading to Douglas fir and other fir species at higher elevations, and sagebrush and steppe vegetation at the lowest elevations.
The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills region is home to a variety of large mammals like black bear and deer, along with raptors such as the bald and golden eagles, and several salmon and trout species.
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/maintain early bloomers; leave some leaf litter and stems until warmer weather settles |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites for solitary bees | Plant a mix of natives; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil; avoid pesticides |
| Summer | Drought-resilient nectar; shade/water nearby; continuous flowers | Prioritize drought-tough natives; water new plants deeply but less often; keep something blooming |
| Late summer/fall | “Last chance” nectar/pollen before cold; seeds and shelter | Add late bloomers; avoid cutting everything back; let some plants go to seed |
| Winter or Dry Season | Protected overwintering spots; undisturbed habitat | Leave stems, seed heads, and some natural debris; plan next season’s bloom sequence |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help the first emerging bees.
Summer bridge: drought-tough flowers that keep nectar going through the hottest, driest stretch.
Fall finisher: late-season asters/goldenrods/rabbitbrush-type blooms to close the year strong.
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.
