Klamath Mountains is a physically and biologically diverse ecoregion with a mild, mid-latitude Mediterranean climate, supporting a mix of northern Californian and Pacific Northwest conifers and hardwoods, characterized by rugged, deeply dissected mountainous terrain and utilized primarily for forestry and recreation.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Klamath Mountains
CEC Level III Code
6.2.11
CEC Level II Code
6.2 Western Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Klamath Mountains, CEC 6.2.11 |
| Geographic Range | This physically and biologically diverse ecoregion occurs between the Cascades (6.2.7) and the Coast Range (7.1.8) in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Klamath Mountains ecoregion has a mild, mid-latitude Mediterranean climate with warm, drought-ridden summers and mild winters, experiencing a mean annual temperature between approximately 5°C and 14°C and mean annual precipitation of 1,438 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The Klamath Mountains are characterized by rugged, highly dissected, and deeply dissected mountainous terrain with steep slopes, where elevations range from approximately 120 m to over 2,600 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | The Klamath Mountains support a diverse mix of northern Californian and Pacific Northwest conifers and hardwoods, including mixed conifer forests with Douglas fir and various pines, along with Oregon oak woodlands. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Klamath Mountains are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bear, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, various birds of prey like the peregrine falcon and northern spotted owl, anadromous fish, and numerous reptiles and amphibians. |
Eco snapshot
The Klamath Mountains support a diverse mix of northern Californian and Pacific Northwest conifers and hardwoods, including mixed conifer forests with Douglas fir and various pines, along with Oregon oak woodlands.
The Klamath Mountains are home to a diverse array of wildlife, including black bear, Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer, various birds of prey like the peregrine falcon and northern spotted owl, anadromous fish, and numerous reptiles and amphibians.
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 become active | Plant/maintain early bloomers; leave some leaf litter and stems until warmer weather settles |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites (soil, stems, cavities) | Add a cluster of spring-flowering natives; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil |
| Summer | Reliable flowers during heat/dry periods; water sources | Plant drought-tolerant summer bloomers; provide a shallow water dish with stones for landing |
| Late summer/fall | “Finish-line” nectar/pollen to build reserves | Prioritize late-blooming natives; avoid deadheading everything—leave some seedheads and stems |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from cold/wet or drought; undisturbed nesting | Don’t over-tidy; keep brush/leaf piles in a corner; plan next season’s bloom sequence |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that “wake up” the season (often shrubs and bulbs/perennials).
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry pollinators through warmer, drier weeks.
Fall finisher: late-season bloomers (like asters/goldenrods/rabbitbrush types) that provide crucial end-of-year 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.
