Branding a Forest Legacy

The Story
Community Forests International, an environmental charity, is dedicated to conserving and rejuvenating forests in Canada and Zanzibar through community-driven initiatives. They hold a profound commitment to both forests and the communities tied to them. As their outreach and partnerships expanded, CFI sought a dynamic new brand that encapsulated their mission and passion while maintaining ties to Zanzibar and Canada.

The new Community Forests brand is as vibrant, passionate, and exciting as the team behind it. The logo, featuring intersecting upside-down hearts forming a tree, eloquently represents the Community Forests mission. These hearts draw inspiration from CFI’s dedication to ‘Leading with Love,’ their work in Zanzibar and Canada, as well as the deep connections between people and forests. The brand comes to life with colors inspired by the landscapes of Canada and Zanzibar, complemented by carefully integrated graphic elements and CFI’s captivating photography.

Inspired by the concept of incremental progress, the centerpiece of the Community Forests brand is the Legacy Illustration—a versatile tapestry comprised of modular pieces. These pieces can be separated, isolated, or rearranged to spotlight different facets of Community Forests’ work and mission. A majestic gathering tree occupies the central panels of the illustration, its roots and branches guiding the viewer’s gaze across the canvas. The tree’s crooked trunk pays homage to the original Community Forests International logo. On the right side of the tree, elements acknowledge their work in Zanzibar, including a subtle outline of the African continent, while on the left, elements connect with their efforts in Atlantic Canada.

“There is nothing more precious to a non-profit organization than the values we live and work according to. Loop successfully created an original and meaningful visual identity for Community Forests International that puts our values front and centre. Loop was deeply invested in creating a visual identity that we would both be proud of and guided us through the entire process with great care.”

— Community Forests International