Hay and Slave River Lowlands is an ecoregion composed of low relief, flat-lying lowlands with short, warm summers and long, cold winters, characterized by closed mixed stands of aspen, poplar, and spruce, and notable for oil and gas extraction and forestry.
Zone
Prairie
Common Name
Hay and Slave River Lowlands
CEC Level III Code
3.3.2
CEC Level II Code
3.3 Taiga Plains
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Hay and Slave River Lowlands, CEC 3.3.2 |
| Geographic Range | This ecoregion extends from northeastern British Columbia and southwest Northwest Territories eastwards to the Slave River region in the Northwest Territories and northeastern Alberta. |
| Climate Snapshot | The region has short, warm summers and long, cold winters, with a mean annual temperature of approximately -2.5°C and mean annual precipitation ranging from 350 to 500 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The region is characterized by low relief, flat-lying lowlands with poorly drained wetlands, composed of predominantly peat-covered clayey lacustrine and moraine deposits on nearly level to gently rolling topography. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation in this region is characterized by closed mixed stands of trembling aspen, balsam poplar, white spruce, balsam fir, and black spruce found on drier sites. |
| Wildlife Habitat | Typical wildlife includes moose, bison, black bear, wolf, lynx, and various birds, with the most species-rich habitats being the mixed woods and shrublands associated with wetlands. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation in this region is characterized by closed mixed stands of trembling aspen, balsam poplar, white spruce, balsam fir, and black spruce found on drier sites.
Typical wildlife includes moose, bison, black bear, wolf, lynx, and various birds, with the most species-rich habitats being the mixed woods and shrublands associated with wetlands.
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 when food is scarce; safe shelter as insects emerge | Plan for early bloomers (especially shrubs); avoid spring “clean-up” that removes stems and leaf litter too soon |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up | Plant or protect early flowers; keep some bare, well-drained soil patches; avoid pesticides and “weed & feed” products |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; water during dry spells; shade/shelter | Add mid-season natives; provide a shallow water source with landing stones; keep mowing/trim cycles from removing all blooms at once |
| Late summer / fall | Late blooms; energy for overwintering; seedheads and stems | Plant late bloomers; leave seedheads; stop deadheading everything; keep stems standing for winter habitat |
| Winter | Undisturbed shelter (stems, leaf litter, soil) | Leave leaves in garden beds; avoid cutting everything down; mark “no-dig” zones until spring warms |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs like willows, plus early wildflowers) to kick off the season.
Summer bridge: dependable mid-season flowers that carry pollinators through the busiest months.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often asters and goldenrods) that help insects fuel up before winter.
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.
