Pacific and Nass Ranges is a mountainous coastal region extending along the Coast Mountains from the Fraser valley to the Nass River, characterized by high, irregular ranges, productive forestlands, and moderate river density networks flowing into the Pacific Ocean.
Zone
Forest
Common Name
Pacific and Nass Ranges
CEC Level III Code
7.1.6
CEC Level II Code
7.1 Marine West Coast Forest
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Pacific and Nass Ranges, CEC 7.1.6 |
| Geographic Range | The Pacific and Nass Ranges extend along the Coast Mountains from the Fraser valley in British Columbia to the Nass River near the British Columbia-Alaska border. |
| Climate Snapshot | The region's climate is characterized by mild temperatures, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 6.5°C in major valleys to 7.5°C-9°C along the coast, and high mean annual precipitation from 1,500 mm up to 4,500 mm. |
| Terrain Profile | The Pacific and Nass Ranges feature high, irregular, steeply-sloping mountains composed of crystalline gneisses and granitic rocks, ranging from sea level to 4,000 m, dissected by numerous large, steep-sided valleys, inlets, or fjords, with expansive ice fields and glaciers at higher peaks. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region's vegetation is characterized by three main ecological zones: coastal forest (western hemlock, western red cedar, amabilis fir, Douglas fir), subalpine (mountain hemlock, amabilis fir, yellow cedar), and alpine. |
| Wildlife Habitat | Wildlife in the Pacific and Nass Ranges includes large mammals like black-tailed deer, black and grizzly bears, mountain goats, and wolves, as well as a variety of mink, otter, seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and blue grouse. |
Eco snapshot
The region’s vegetation is characterized by three main ecological zones: coastal forest (western hemlock, western red cedar, amabilis fir, Douglas fir), subalpine (mountain hemlock, amabilis fir, yellow cedar), and alpine.
Wildlife in the Pacific and Nass Ranges includes large mammals like black-tailed deer, black and grizzly bears, mountain goats, and wolves, as well as a variety of mink, otter, seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and blue grouse.
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 and pollen; shelter from cold and wind | Prioritize early-blooming native shrubs; keep a small “messy” corner with leaves and stems |
| Spring | Steady bloom; nesting sites starting up | Plant a mix of spring flowers; leave some bare, well-drained soil; avoid all pesticides |
| Summer | Continuous nectar; water during dry spells; shade breaks | Add mid-summer bloomers; provide a shallow water dish with stones; plant in clumps for easy foraging |
| Late summer / fall | High-energy nectar to prepare for winter; late pollen | Plant late bloomers; avoid deadheading everything; let some plants go to seed |
| Winter | Safe overwintering habitat | Leave stems standing; keep leaf litter in place; avoid heavy fall cleanup |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early flowers (often shrubs and early perennials) to “kickstart” the season
Summer bridge: dependable mid-season bloomers that carry pollinators through the longest stretch
Fall finisher: late-season asters/goldenrods and other late bloomers for end-of-season energy
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
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.
Blackberries and raspberries (genus Rubus) are flowering bramble shrubs that can feed pollinators in bloom and people later with tasty berries—great for yards, school gardens, and even large containers with support.
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.
Buttonbush is a wetland shrub known for its round, pincushion-like flower clusters that draw in many pollinators. It’s a great choice for rain gardens, pond edges, and any spot that stays consistently moist.
California lilac (Ceanothus) is a flowering shrub known for clouds of blue blooms that can be a big draw for pollinators when it’s planted in the right spot.
Camas (Camassia spp.) is a spring-blooming bulb with starry blue-to-purple flowers that can light up sunny meadows and garden beds while offering early-season nectar and pollen for visiting insects.
Currants and gooseberries are Ribes shrubs that offer early-season flowers for pollinators and later berries for people and wildlife. They’re a great choice for edible landscapes, mixed borders, and small yards where you want a plant that does more than one job.
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.
Hyssops (Agastache) are fragrant, long-blooming wildflowers that are easy to grow and popular with many pollinators. They’re a great choice for sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even large containers.
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.
Milkweeds are tough, nectar-rich wildflowers in the genus Asclepias that can turn a garden bed, schoolyard edge, or even a sunny pot into a pollinator stop.
Penstemons (beardtongues) are hardy, flower-filled wildflowers that bring bright color and steady nectar to gardens and containers, especially in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Phacelias are easygoing wildflowers in the genus Phacelia, known for their nectar-rich blooms that can bring lots of pollinator activity to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.
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.
Serviceberries (genus Amelanchier) are small trees with early-season blossoms, edible berries, and strong wildlife value—an easy way to add beauty and pollinator support to a yard, school garden, or even a large container.
Native sunflowers are bright, tough wildflowers in the genus Helianthus that feed pollinators and add cheerful color from mid-season into fall.
Wild bergamot and other bee balms (the genus Monarda) are easygoing native wildflowers known for their shaggy, pom‑pom blooms that draw in lots of pollinators. They’re a great choice when you want long-lasting summer color and a plant that feels lively with buzzing visitors.
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.
Many brushfoots move pollen between flowers as they feed, and their caterpillars are part of healthy food webs.
Bumble bees are important pollinators of many wildflowers and garden plants, helping ecosystems and food crops reproduce.
Adults visit flowers for nectar and pollen, and many species’ larvae help keep plant-eating pests in check.
They can move pollen between flowers while feeding on nectar, especially for blooms that open or scent up in the evening.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden crops set seed and fruit.
They move pollen between flowers while foraging, helping many wild plants and garden plants set seed and fruit.
They can move pollen while drinking nectar, and they also help control many plant-eating insects.
They’re part of healthy food webs and plant communities, and their caterpillars depend on a wide range of native trees and shrubs.
Skippers visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms while they feed.
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 and can move pollen between blooms, while also helping control some garden pests.
Adult swallowtails visit many flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
They help move pollen between flowers in gardens, parks, and natural areas, supporting seed and fruit production.
They visit a wide range of flowers for nectar and can help move pollen between blooms as they feed.
