Newfoundland Island is a region marked by cool summers and short, cold winters, dominated by forests of balsam fir and black spruce, characterized by rugged and rocky uplands and lowlands, with principal land uses including forestry, wood processing, farming, commercial fishing, and mining.
Zone
Coastal
Common Name
Newfoundland Island
CEC Level III Code
5.1.4
CEC Level II Code
5.1 Softwood Shield
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Newfoundland Island, CEC 5.1.4 |
| Geographic Range | This region extends across the island of Newfoundland, characterized by rugged and rocky uplands and lowlands with various small lakes and ponds, and elevations ranging from sea level to about 250 masl. |
| Climate Snapshot | The climate is characterized by cool summers and short, cold winters, with a mean annual temperature of about 5°C and annual precipitation ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The terrain is characterized by rugged and rocky uplands and lowlands with outcrops and moraine covers, featuring elevations that range from sea level to an average of about 250 masl. |
| Vegetation Cover | Forests in this region are primarily composed of closed stands of balsam fir and black spruce, with drier sites featuring black spruce woodlands and dwarf open stands on bogs. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The wildlife of the Newfoundland Island ecoregion includes moose, lynx, black bear, red fox, and caribou. |
Eco snapshot
Forests in this region are primarily composed of closed stands of balsam fir and black spruce, with drier sites featuring black spruce woodlands and dwarf open stands on bogs.
The wildlife of the Newfoundland Island ecoregion includes moose, lynx, black bear, red fox, and caribou.
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 places to emerge | Leave some leaf litter and stems; plan/plant early bloomers in sheltered spots; avoid spring pesticide “cleanup” sprays |
| Spring | Steady blooms; nesting sites starting up | Plant or pot up native flowers; keep a small patch of bare soil; provide shallow water (pebbles in a dish) |
| Summer | Continuous nectar/pollen; heat/wind refuge | Add mid-season bloomers; plant in clumps; include some taller plants or shrubs as wind buffers |
| Late summer / fall | “Last chance” nectar; energy for overwintering | Add late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything; leave seedheads and stems standing |
| Winter | Shelter for overwintering insects | Don’t over-tidy; leave stems, leaf litter, and some natural areas until spring |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (including shrubs or low plants) so emerging insects find food.
Summer bridge: reliable mid-season flowers that carry pollinators through the main growing period.
Fall finisher: late-season asters/goldenrods (or similar native late bloomers) to fuel the end of the season.
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.
