Thompson-Okanagan Plateau extends over the warmest and driest areas in Canada, characterized by rolling plateaus and major valleys of the Okanagan, Thompson, Nicola, and Fraser rivers.
Zone
Interior
Common Name
Thompson-Okanogan Plateau
CEC Level III Code
10.1.1
CEC Level II Code
10.1 Cold Deserts
Overview
Region facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Thompson-Okanogan Plateau, Thompson Okanogan Plateau |
| Geographic Range | The Thompson-Okanagan Plateau is characterized by drier rolling plateaus and major valleys of the Okanagan, Thompson, Nicola, and Fraser rivers, ranging from 1,220 to 2,300 m in elevation and extending over the warmest and driest areas in Canada. |
| Climate Snapshot | The Thompson-Okanagan Plateau has cold winters and warm to hot summers, with a mean annual temperature of approximately 6°C and mean annual precipitation ranging widely from 250 to over 1,100 mm depending on elevation. |
| Terrain Profile | The Thompson-Okanagan Plateau is characterized by drier rolling plateaus and major valleys, typically ranging from 1,220 to 2,300 m, with a gently rolling surface that can be hillier and mountainous in the west. |
| Vegetation Cover | Vegetation in the Thompson-Okanagan Plateau ranges from grasslands of bluebunch wheat grass and sagebrush in the driest valley lowlands, to open stands of Douglas fir and pine grass, and higher elevation stands of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine. |
| Wildlife Habitat | The Thompson-Okanagan Plateau supports diverse wildlife, including California bighorn sheep, various deer, elk, black bear, coyote, bobcat, cougar, blue grouse, waterfowl, longbilled curlew, rattlesnake, and various raptors. |
Eco snapshot
Vegetation in the Thompson-Okanagan Plateau ranges from grasslands of bluebunch wheat grass and sagebrush in the driest valley lowlands, to open stands of Douglas fir and pine grass, and higher elevation stands of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine.
The Thompson-Okanagan Plateau supports diverse wildlife, including California bighorn sheep, various deer, elk, black bear, coyote, bobcat, cougar, blue grouse, waterfowl, longbilled curlew, rattlesnake, and various raptors.
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 | The first nectar/pollen; safe places for emerging queens and early solitary bees | Plant/maintain early bloomers; leave some leaf litter and stems until weather is consistently mild |
| Spring | Steady bloom and nesting sites | Add a mix of spring flowers; keep a small patch of bare, well-drained soil for ground nesters |
| Summer | Drought-resilient nectar sources; shallow water | Plant heat-tough natives; provide a shallow water dish with stones; water new plants deeply but less often |
| Late summer/fall | “Finishing” blooms to build reserves before winter | Prioritize late-blooming natives; avoid deadheading everything—leave some seed and structure |
| Winter or Dry Season | Shelter and undisturbed nesting | Don’t over-tidy; leave stems, seedheads, and a quiet corner for overwintering insects |
Keystone plants
Mix early, mid, and late bloomers so pollinators always find food.
Seed mix concept
Spring starter: early bloomers (often shrubs and spring perennials) to support emerging bees
Summer bridge: heat-tolerant flowers that keep nectar/pollen available through the driest stretch
Fall finisher: late-season bloomers (often asters/goldenrods/rabbitbrush-type plants) to help pollinators stock up before winter
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.
Blazing stars (Liatris) are upright, purple-pink wildflowers that bloom in showy spikes and are well-loved by many pollinators. They’re a strong choice for sunny gardens, borders, and meadow-style plantings.
Gilias (genus Gilia) are airy, nectar-rich wildflowers that can add quick color to sunny spots and help support a variety of 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.
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.
Rabbitbrush is a tough, sun-loving shrub known for its bright yellow late-season blooms that can help keep pollinators fed when many other flowers are fading.
Sagebrushes are tough, aromatic shrubs in the genus Artemisia that can anchor a dry, sunny habitat and offer shelter and seasonal nectar for a range of insects.
Wild buckwheats (genus Eriogonum) are tough, long-blooming western native wildflowers that can turn dry, sunny spots into reliable pollinator stops.
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.
