Aerial view of the Coastal Corridor Alliance wetlands, river, coast, and surrounding community
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Strategy / Naming / Visual Identity / Messaging / Website Development / Ecommerce / Merchandise

Coastal Corridor Alliance

Reframing a successful land-conservation effort for a broader regional mission.

00 / Overview

A new organization built for the next stretch of the coast.

After the Banning Ranch conservation effort achieved its land-protection victory, the organization’s purpose expanded. Agency689 created the Coastal Corridor Alliance name, strategy, identity, messaging, website, shop, and merchandise system to protect and restore the Santa Ana River Coastal Corridor.

Agency role Brand and Digital Partner

Client Coastal Corridor Alliance

Services Brand Strategy / Naming / Visual Identity / Messaging / Copywriting / Website Design and Development / Ecommerce / Merchandise Design

01 / Strategy and Naming

From one land campaign to an alliance for the corridor.

The new name widened the frame from a single property to a connected ecological system. “Alliance” recognized the role of volunteers, partners, donors, agencies, and residents, while “Coastal Corridor” gave the expanded geography a clear public name.

The brand had to feel local and remain clear across nonprofit communications, partnerships, social graphics, embroidered apparel, ecommerce, and community outreach.

IdentityName, mark, color, usage system
WebsiteMission, land areas, programs, news, donation paths
CommerceShopify storefront, collections, apparel, accessories

02 / Identity

A local species became the signal.

The least tern, closely tied to the corridor’s biodiversity, informed the primary mark. Its blade-like wings, black tips, and eye mask became a crisp illustration, paired with colors from the wetlands, bluffs, and waterways and extended into monochrome, embroidery, social, and guideline applications.

Coastal Corridor Alliance full identity lockup
Least tern logo development study
Coastal Corridor Alliance color palette development

03 / Website and Messaging

Turning understanding into participation.

The website organized the mission around land areas, planning, habitat restoration, beach cleanups, news, resources, volunteer activity, donations, and the shop. The structure gave visitors direct paths from learning to subscribing, volunteering, donating, and staying involved.

Coastal Corridor Alliance brand book cover and palette
Coastal Corridor Alliance brand book spread
Full-page Coastal Corridor Alliance website homepage scroll capture

04 / Organizational Response

A clearer public identity for a growing organization.

Since launch, the client has reported stronger public understanding, donations, volunteer participation, and organizational growth. The brand now supports advocacy, education, fundraising, commerce, and community participation as connected parts of the same mission.

Each badge connects the CCA name to a specific local species, giving supporters a more personal way to identify with the land, water, and wildlife the organization protects.

Coastal Corridor Alliance Crotch's bumble bee artwork
Coastal Corridor Alliance striped shore crab artwork
Coastal Corridor Alliance California grey fox artwork
Coastal Corridor Alliance California king snake artwork
Coastal Corridor Alliance long tailed weasel artwork
Coastal Corridor Alliance Shopify store homepage screenshot
Coastal Corridor Alliance message shirt
Coastal Corridor Alliance hoodie system
Coastal Corridor Alliance windbreaker hood apparel
Coastal Corridor Alliance leave no trace shirts
Coastal Corridor Alliance men's apparel and hats
Coastal Corridor Alliance women's apparel and visor

Facing a similar challenge?

If the mission has grown beyond the name, let’s build the identity around what people can join.

We can connect strategy, naming, design, digital, and participation without losing the work that earned trust.