About the WBWRI
Wood Buffalo Wildlife Research Institute
Our Vision
Generating inspiration and passion for wildlife and our natural world for generations to come.
Our Guiding Values
- The WBWRI will operate professionally and ethically, following best practices for research and animal welfare.
- WBWRI activities will be conducted with mutual respect and the understanding that collectively, we bring together a rich and diverse range of perspectives, experiences and knowledge.
- The WBWRI will be a safe environment in which to participate.
- The WBWRI will continuously strive to improve in all aspects of its operations and projects.
Organization Governance
Our Board of Directors
The WBWRI Board of Directors helps steer our mission with integrity, championing animal welfare, safety, and continuous improvement. Their collective wisdom reflects the diverse knowledge and experiences that define our work.
Volunteer Opportunities
WBWRI Membership
At WBWRI, engaged community members who care about ethical research, environmental stewardship, and the wellbeing of future generations are central to our efforts.
By becoming a member, you’ll support our mission, stay connected through special updates and events, and have the opportunity to participate in our Annual General Meeting.
Help Shape the Future of Conservation Today!
Our Logo Story
“The gentle upward tilt suggests motion and aspiration, with a river curving through the body as a nod to both the landscape of the Fort McMurray / Athabasca River area and migration.”
Student Project Involvement
The WBWRI worked with the STAND Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School in southern Alberta to have their students develop our brand as a real-world project. This partnership was the first experience in graphic design for the 15 students in the Design, Technology & Innovation program. Through the project, they engaged in deep learning about how purpose, symbolism, and storytelling can be conveyed through imagery.
We could not be prouder of their effort and the brand they created for us.
“Working with WBWRI was an exceptional experience for the students. It gave them a real-world connection and helped them see the impact that thoughtful design and research can have. Most importantly, their confidence skyrocketed as they collaborated on something that really mattered.”
Brianna Dawe
Design, Technology and Innovation Educator
STAND, An STS School
The Creative Process
Students collaborated with the organization to understand the Institute’s work – such as monitoring bird populations, rehabilitating wildlife, and supporting young scientists – and committed to capturing the values of optimism, stewardship and community that the organization upholds. After nearly six months of collaborative sketching, feedback loops, and hundreds of iterations, the students proudly shared their final design.
The Finalized Designs
The final logo demonstrates thoughtful balance between client feedback and fundamental design principles. Inspired by the Board’s detailed suggestions, the bird was repositioned for flow and elevation, with a gentle upward tilt to suggest motion and aspiration. A stylized river curves through the body, nodding to both landscape and migration.
While not all feedback could be implemented without compromising clarity and scalability, key refinements – like subtle feather definition, adjusted proportions, and a harmonious colour palette – helped enhance the design while preserving simplicity. The result is a versatile, professional logo that remains memorable and meaningful across all applications.
Student Experiences
Real world design experience expressed in the words of the creators.
“This project was hard at times, but turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done. It helped me discover how much I love design, and now it’s something I really want to keep doing.”
“It was rewarding to design a logo that had the potential of being used in the real world. I learned how to collaborate with others in a team by doing separate tasks that lead to a common goal.”
“I was surprised by the similarity in the design process between graphic design and product design. Learning skills like colour theory and Adobe Illustrator was very useful for me as a designer.”
“Getting to meet WBWRI creators taught me how to talk with and pitch to real clients. I am very grateful for this project and hope to do more work like this in the future!”
“I enjoyed working together as a team, and building on each other’s ideas. This was a learning experience that truly challenged my creativity and stretched my imagination!”