Kazan River and Selwyn Lake Uplands is a transitional area between tundra and boreal forest, located where Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut meet, characterized by very cold winters, nearly continuous permafrost, and a landscape of rolling uplands and lowlands on the Canadian Shield.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands
CEC Level III Code
3.4.1
CEC Level II Code
3.4 Taiga Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Kazan Rvier and Selwyn Lake Uplands, Kazan River and Selwyn Lake Uplands |
| Geographic Range | The Kazan River and Selwyn Lake Uplands region stretches across the borders of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, extending from Dubawnt Lake south to Reindeer Lake. |
| Climate Snapshot | The region's climate is characterized by cool summers (8°C to 11°C) and very cold winters (-24.5°C to -21.5°C), with mean annual temperatures of -8°C to -5°C and annual precipitation ranging from over 200 to over 400 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | Associated with the Canadian Shield, this region is characterized by a mix of rolling uplands and lowlands with most elevations above 300 masl, featuring bedrock outcrops and covers moraine. |
| Vegetation Cover | This region is a transition zone between tundra and boreal forest, characterized by open, very stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack, along with low shrub tundra vegetation and common wetlands. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The region is home to mammals like barren-ground caribou, black bear, and wolf, along with bird species such as rock and willow ptarmigan, and waterfowl. |
Eco snapshot
This region is a transition zone between tundra and boreal forest, characterized by open, very stunted stands of black spruce and tamarack, along with low shrub tundra vegetation and common wetlands.
The region is home to mammals like barren-ground caribou, black bear, and wolf, along with bird species such as rock and willow ptarmigan, and waterfowl.
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 temperatures swing | Leave some leaf litter and standing stems; plan for early-blooming natives; avoid spring pesticide use |
| Spring | Steady blooms; nesting sites starting up | Plant/maintain early bloomers; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil for ground nesters |
| Summer | Continuous flowers; water; shade/shelter during heat/wind | Add mid-season “bridge” flowers; provide a shallow water source (pebbles for landing); keep blooms coming in clusters |
| Late summer/fall | Late blooms; energy for overwintering; undisturbed habitat | Plant late bloomers; delay heavy cleanup; leave seed heads and stems where safe |
| Winter or Dry Season | Protected overwintering sites | Avoid cutting everything down; leave natural debris in a corner; don’t disturb likely nesting areas |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs like willows, plus early perennials) to kick-start the season.
Summer bridge: mid-season flowers that carry the longest stretch of foraging.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often goldenrods and asters) to help pollinators prepare for 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.
