Building a unified voice for the Kawuneeche Valley Restoration Collaborative

The Kawuneeche Valley, situated at the headwaters of the Colorado River, is in a state of ecological disarray. Historically defined by lush, tall willows and beaver ponds, dry grasses and eroded stream banks now dominate the valley floor. Restoring the valley’s vital wetlands and biodiversity requires the focused cooperation of experts deeply invested in the valley’s long-term resilience. 

In 2020, seven entities joined forces to meet this challenge, forming the Kawuneeche Valley Restoration Collaborative (KVRC). The Collaborative includes representatives from Grand County, the Town of Grand Lake, Northern Water, The Nature Conservancy, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. 

Despite their collective expertise, KVRC faced a significant communications hurdle: complexity. Communicating about KVRC’s restoration work required a delicate balance between scientific accuracy and community resonance. Without a unified identity or a strategic roadmap, the group risked fragmented messaging and public confusion. The challenge was to create a credible and accessible brand from scratch that could bridge the gap between high-level environmental science and community buy-in.  

Raftelis was engaged to transform this multi-agency partnership into a cohesive brand. Our approach focused on three key pillars: 

• Identity: We distilled the Collaborative’s core values into a visual and verbal framework. This was more than a logo; it was a system that allowed seven distinct organizations to speak with a single, credible voice. ‍
• Strategic roadmap: We developed a Communication and Outreach Plan that functioned as a tactical roadmap. This plan defined key messages and audience groups to ensure all outreach was consistent and intentional. ‍
• Digital storytelling: We created a custom website that serves as a living repository for KVRC’s work. By integrating complex project updates into a user-friendly interface, we transformed technical concepts into a compelling story for the valley. 

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Acting as an extension of KVRC staff, our team led the coordination of committee agendas, organized engagement tours, and crafted quarterly digital newsletters. This high-level support ensured that every fact sheet and strategy update remained aligned with the Collaborative’s broader goals. 

In addition to the pillars, KVRC now has:  

• Unified brand adoption: KVRC communicates under the cohesive brand guidelines, ensuring a professional and consistent presence. ‍
• Momentum: The group shares regular communication, earns media, and continues to coordinate engagement activities with community members. 

Today, KVRC is no longer a collection of separate logos; it is a recognizable, trusted brand. Beyond branding, KVRC annually revisits its outreach plan and goals, updating its approach to meet audience needs and continuing to build meaningful relationships.