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Region profile

La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau

La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau is a region extending from the western shores of James and Hudson Bay into the interior of Quebec, characterized by cool summers, very cold winters, open coniferous forests transitioning to tundra, and land uses limited primarily to wildlife activities, recreation, and hydroelectric development.

Zone

Interior

Common Name

CEC Level III Code

3.4.2

CEC Level II Code

3.4 Taiga Shield

Overview Eco Snapshot Calendar Habitat Seed Mix

Overview

About This Region

The La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau region, part of the Taiga ecoregion, presents unique challenges for pollinators. While habitat loss from development is a factor, climate change, including increased extreme weather and shifting temperature regimes, significantly impacts native plant and pollinator phenology. This area is vulnerable to the misuse of pesticides and the spread of disease, further stressing limited populations. Conservation efforts focus on mitigating these threats and preserving the delicate balance of the northern ecosystems.

Region image

Region facts

At a glance

Category	Details
Aliases	La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau
Geographic Range	This region extends from the western shores of James and Hudson Bay eastwards into the interior of Quebec to regions around Schefferville and Fort Chimo.
Climate Snapshot	The La Grande Hills and New Quebec Central Plateau region experiences cool summers averaging 8.5°C and very cold winters averaging -18°C, resulting in a mean annual temperature of approximately -4.5°C, with mean annual precipitation ranging from 600 mm to 900 mm.
Terrain Profile	This region is characterized by rolling uplands and lowlands of the Canadian Shield, with elevations generally between 400 to 600 m, occasionally reaching 915 m, and features common rock outcroppings, moraine covers, and sporadic, discontinuous permafrost.
Vegetation Cover	The region features open stands of lichen-black/white spruce woodland with an understory of feathermoss, dwarf birch, northern Labrador tea, and lichens, transitioning from open coniferous forests in the south to more tundra and alpine tundra communities in the north.
Wildlife Habitat	The region is home to caribou, wolverine, snowshoe hare, arctic and red fox, wolf, coyote, black bear, grouse, raven, osprey, and various waterfowl.

Eco snapshot

What shapes this region

Climate pattern

Climate pattern notes are being added.

Vegetation profile

The region features open stands of lichen-black/white spruce woodland with an understory of feathermoss, dwarf birch, northern Labrador tea, and lichens, transitioning from open coniferous forests in the south to more tundra and alpine tundra communities in the north.

Wildlife profile

The region is home to caribou, wolverine, snowshoe hare, arctic and red fox, wolf, coyote, black bear, grouse, raven, osprey, and various waterfowl.

Why pollinators matter here

Pollinator impact notes are being added.

Seasonal timing

Planting seasons

Timing varies by microclimate; use this as a flexible guide.

Seasonal timing

Seasonal timing notes are being added.

Quick seasonal checklist

Seasonal checklist notes are being added.

Yearly needs

Pollinator calendar

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	Safe places to overwinter; the earliest possible nectar/pollen when weather allows	Leave leaf litter and standing stems; plan for early-blooming natives; avoid spring “clean-up” that removes shelter
Spring	Early nectar and pollen; nesting sites for emerging bees	Plant/encourage early bloomers; keep some bare, well-drained soil patches; add a small brush/wood pile in a quiet spot
Summer	Steady nectar/pollen; water; shade and windbreaks	Plant mid-season flowers in clumps; provide a shallow water dish with stones; reduce mowing and let some flowers bloom
Late summer / fall	Late-season nectar/pollen to build reserves; places to overwinter	Add late bloomers; stop deadheading everything; leave seedheads and stems; avoid fall pesticide use
Winter	Undisturbed shelter in stems, soil, and leaf litter	Don’t cut everything down; mark “no-tidy” zones; plan next year’s bloom sequence

Seed mix concept

A Billion Small Steps Seed mix

In a short-season region, a seed mix (or plant plan) works best when it’s designed like a relay race:

Spring starter

Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs and low plants) to feed the first active pollinators.

Summer bridge

Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry the peak foraging period.

Fall finisher

Fall finisher: late bloomers (like asters and goldenrods) to help pollinators build reserves before winter.

What You Can Do

Make a difference for native habitats.

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.

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Native plants

Plants that thrive in this region

Alders

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.

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Asters

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.

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Birches

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.

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Blueberries & huckleberries

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.

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Clovers

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.

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Fireweed

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.

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Fleabanes

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.

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Goldenrods

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.

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Kinnikinnick

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.

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Manzanitas

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.

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Poplars, aspens & cottonwoods

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.

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Rushes

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.

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Sedges

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.

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Willowherbs

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.

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Willows

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.

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