Mission, Values & Identity
Woodcock's Mission
Our mission is to creatively re-connect the community with nature and to one another.
Woodcock's Core Values
We are an Inclusive, Welcoming, and Supportive Community
We value Learning, Sharing, and Creativity
We act with Integrity, Kindness and Empathy
We respect All Living Things
We believe a personal experience in nature is important for all ages!
Woodcock's Visual Identity
During 2019, the board of directors and senior leadership developed a strategic plan and future vision for the nature center which informed many subsequent choices related to programming, strategy and branding. In 2022, as part of its 50th anniversary year, Woodcock updated the visual identity for the organization to better match the current vision and programming. This was an exciting strategic change for Woodcock. Below are the answers to some questions you might have about Woodcock's choices...
Why did the Woodcock logo change in 2022?
The 50th Anniversary presented an ideal opportunity to explore an alternative design that better expresses what Woodcock is all about. Not many people know that our Nature Center was named after founder J. Mortimer Woodcock and not the bird of the same name which has appeared on previous logos. We were excited for a new look which better spoke to the quality of programming, creativity and fun that we so often experience at Woodcock Nature Center. Read more about our history here.
Where did the idea of snake come from?
We explored a lot of options—from different animals, to leaves and letters—but the snake resonated for a few reasons. First, snakes are an integral part of our Woodcock ecosystem (and animal teaching team!), and as a visual representation, we wanted something that captured the excitement and creativity that Woodcock represents—a vibrant, unique place to explore and learn. The curvature of the snake’s body suggests a path of discovery with the bands of color representing each of our brand pillars (creativity, education, place-making and conservation) as referenced by four earthly element hues.
Who helped to come up with the new look?
A small committee of Woodcock staff, board and volunteers worked closely with designer Jeff James to articulate our organizations personality, voice and desired outcomes before even looking at any visual ideas. The committee leaned on Jeff's extensive experience as a brand visionary, book illustrator and designer for companies like Starbucks and Oribe Tea. You can learn more about Jeff James here.
This is wonderful. Where can I learn even more?
Woodcock has a wonderful graphic that explains even more about our color choices and future use of the new look and design. Take a look here (pdf).