Sierra Nevada is a high, north-south mountain range of eastern California with a small extension into far western Nevada near Lake Tahoe, characterized by diverse temperate coniferous forests, high-gradient streams, alpine lakes, and significant elevation changes, resulting from a deeply dissected block fault.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Sierra Nevada
CEC Level III Code
6.2.12
CEC Level II Code
6.2 Western Cordillera
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Sierra Nevada, CEC 6.2.12 |
| Geographic Range | The Sierra Nevadas are a high, north-south mountain range of eastern California with a small extension into far western Nevada near Lake Tahoe. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Sierra Nevada has a severe to mild, mid-latitude climate with Mediterranean characteristics, featuring mild to hot, dry summers and cool to cold, wet winters, with temperatures ranging from approximately -3°C to 17°C and precipitation up to over 2,500 mm on high peaks. |
| Terrain Profile | The Sierra Nevada is a deeply dissected block fault with hilly to steep mountain relief, rising sharply on the east and sloping gently on the west, with elevations ranging from about 400 m to 4,418 m on Mt. Whitney. |
| Vegetation Cover | The region contains diverse temperate coniferous forests, grading from chaparral and woodland to mixed conifer forests at lower elevations, including giant sequoias, and transitioning to red fir and subalpine forests, and finally alpine conditions at the highest elevations. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Sierra Nevada region is home to diverse wildlife including black bear, mule deer, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, cougar, yellow-bellied marmot, golden trout, and the Yosemite toad. |
Eco snapshot
The region contains diverse temperate coniferous forests, grading from chaparral and woodland to mixed conifer forests at lower elevations, including giant sequoias, and transitioning to red fir and subalpine forests, and finally alpine conditions at the highest elevations.
The Sierra Nevada region is home to diverse wildlife including black bear, mule deer, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, cougar, yellow-bellied marmot, golden trout, and the Yosemite toad.
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 “wake up” | Plant/plan for early bloom; avoid spring pesticide use; leave some leaf litter and stems in place a bit longer |
| Spring | Steady food; nesting sites starting up | Add native flowers in clumps; keep some bare/firm soil patches; provide small water source |
| Summer | Reliable bloom during heat/dry periods; shade and water nearby | Add mid-summer bloomers; water plants efficiently (morning, deep/less frequent); keep blooms coming in pots |
| Late summer/fall | Late-season nectar; places to overwinter | Plant late bloomers; stop deadheading some plants so seeds/structure remain; leave stems standing |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter from cold/wet or dry conditions; undisturbed habitat | Don’t “over-tidy”; keep brush/leaf corners; delay heavy cleanup until conditions warm and insects are active |
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers that help pollinators as soon as conditions allow.
Summer bridge: heat- and drought-tolerant bloomers that carry the garden through mid-season.
Fall finisher: late bloomers (often the most overlooked) that help pollinators build reserves before winter/dormant periods.
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.
