Seward Peninsula, extending into the Bering Sea at the Bering Strait, is characterized by a moist polar climate, extensive tundra, continuous permafrost, and a mix of coastal lowlands and uplands, supporting diverse wildlife and human activities like subsistence hunting and gold mining, with Nome as the largest settlement.
Zone
Coastal
Common Name
Seward Peninsula
CEC Level III Code
2.2.4
CEC Level II Code
2.2 Alaska Tundra
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Seward Peninsula, CEC 2.2.4 |
| Geographic Range | The Seward Peninsula is an important migration corridor extending into the Bering Sea at the Bering Strait, characterized by a moist polar climate, mostly tundra vegetation, and landforms ranging from coastal lowlands to rugged mountains. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Seward Peninsula has a moist polar climate characterized by long, harsh winters, short, cool, and foggy summers along the coast, with a mean annual temperature of approximately -5° C. |
| Terrain Profile | The Seward Peninsula features a mix of coastal lowlands and extensive uplands with broad convex hills, scattered valleys, and small rugged mountains, with elevations ranging from sea level to 1,400 meters above sea level, continuous permafrost, and sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic rock formations. |
| Vegetation Cover | The vegetation is predominantly tundra and low scrub communities, featuring moist sedge-tussock tundra at lower elevations and alpine Dryas-lichen tundra at higher elevations, with low-growing shrubs in better-drained areas. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Seward Peninsula is home to dominant wildlife including bears (polar and others), caribou, snowy owls, arctic foxes, and various bird species (some Eurasian), along with marine life like ribbon seals and walruses offshore. |
Eco snapshot
The vegetation is predominantly tundra and low scrub communities, featuring moist sedge-tussock tundra at lower elevations and alpine Dryas-lichen tundra at higher elevations, with low-growing shrubs in better-drained areas.
The Seward Peninsula is home to dominant wildlife including bears (polar and others), caribou, snowy owls, arctic foxes, and various bird species (some Eurasian), along with marine life like ribbon seals and walruses offshore.
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 | Safe shelter and early food when available | Leave natural cover (leaf litter/plant stems) in place; plan for early-blooming natives in sheltered spots. |
| Spring | Early nectar/pollen; nesting sites | Protect early flowers; avoid soil disturbance in some areas; add a few early-blooming native plants if feasible. |
| Summer | Steady bloom; water; low pesticide exposure | Aim for continuous bloom; provide a shallow water source (safe landing stones); keep the area pesticide-free. |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar; places to overwinter | Include late-blooming natives; avoid heavy fall cleanup; leave stems and natural debris for shelter. |
| Winter or Dry Season | Undisturbed overwintering habitat | Don’t “tidy” everything; keep some natural cover and undisturbed ground until the next growing season. |
Seed mix concept
Details coming soon.
Details coming soon.
Details coming soon.
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.
