Brand Guide

Using the NW Straits Commission Logo & Name 

This guidance provides clarity on how to acknowledge the NW Straits Commission in presentations, print materials, digital content, and other outreach products. 

To ensure accurate and consistent crediting of organizations, please follow these guidelines:  

  • Use the NW Straits Commission logo when acknowledging NW Straits Commission. 
  • We are phasing out use of the “Northwest Straits Initiative” logo and terminology. This change will help clarify the distinction between the “Northwest Straits Commission's” role as an organization and honor the "Salish Sea Alliance" (formerly Northwest Straits Foundation) as an independent nonprofit.  
  • When referring to the federal legislation that created NW Straits Commission, please write out “Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act” or “Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act.”  
  • If acknowledging additional partners or MRCs in written materials, include individual logos. 

The following guidance provides details about the NW Straits Commission logo

The NW Straits Commission logo must appear in all publications, and outreach materials and presentations supported by the Commission. 

NW Straits Commission's logo includes blue fish, and green shoreline elements as well as stylized sky, water and land features. The clean, simple design helps make the logo easy to recognize and use across public materials.

Logo specifications 

Straits

 

Minimum clear space rule:
Use the height of the capital “N” in “Northwest” within the logo text as the minimum padding on all sides. No text, images, or design elements may enter this space.

Digital: Logo must not appear smaller than 150 px wide.

Print: Logo must not be reproduced smaller than 1.25 inches wide.

Color specifications 

NWSC BRAND COLORS

Color

Hex code

 RGB

Brown (Primary)

 #674026 103 64 38
Blue (Primary) #6695AF 102 149 175
Light Blue (Secondary accent) #98B8C9 152 184 201
Bright Blue (Secondary accent) #C9EDEE 201 237 238
Orange (Secondary accent) #FF8600 255 134 0
Bright Orange (Secondary accent) #FDBB39 253 187 57
Green (Secondary accent) #97B30F 151 179 15
Beige (Secondary accent) #35E9C5 229 233 197
Pink (Secondary accent) #C091C0 192 145 192

Logo file download links 

ZIP logo files

Which files should I use? 

  • The ZIP download links below include several formats and sizes.  
  • Web use, presentations, and other electronic or print uses:  
    • For the lowest resolution and smallest file size, use the JPG format. 
    • For a higher resolution graphic with a transparent background, use the PNG format.
    • For responsive digital formats use SVG 
  • Large-format or special needs:  
    • Use the included NW Straits Commission vector file (AI or EPS). 

Permission 

If you have questions about using NW Straits Commission logo for purposes of recognition, please contact the director to inquire about using the NW Straits Commission logo. 

Please note: 

  • Do not alter the logo in its proportions or colors.  
  • No element may be removed or added to the logo or modified in any way. 
  • The partner may not suggest that use of the logo implies endorsement of any organization, idea, product or service.  
  • NW Straits Commission may require that the logo be accompanied by an appropriate acknowledgment.  

Required Funding Credit 

  • Please continue following funder acknowledgment requirements. If you need guidance on appropriate funder acknowledgement language, please contact the director to inquire about using the NW Straits Commission logo.   
  • NW Straits Commission logo replaces the Initiative logo where the intent is to acknowledge NW Straits Commission but does not change funding attribution processes.  

 

NW Straits Initiative Logo & Terminology

Q: Why is NW Straits Commission no longer using the NW Straits Initiative logo?

A. The initiative logo was originally used to represent a grouping of independent organizations including NW Straits Commission, NW Straits Foundation, and seven county-based Marine Resources Committees. The Initiative logo combined the NW Straits Commission and NW Straits Foundation logos. The NW Straits Foundation has changed its name to the Salish Sea Alliance to reflect their expanded focus across the Salish Sea. To honor their new name and logo, and better reflect the NW Straits Commission as an organization, we are phasing out use of the NW Straits Initiative logo.

Q: Are you still using the NW Straits Initiative name?

A. We are phasing out use of the term “NW Straits Initiative” to reduce confusion and provide clearer messaging about NW Straits Commission and MRC roles.

Q: Should we continue using the NW Straits Initiative logo?

A: No, we are phasing out use of the NW Straits Initiative logo. When acknowledging NW Straits Commission, please use the NW Straits Commission logo. Please update presentations and websites, but existing printed materials can continue as-is. As you revise or refresh print materials over time and are intending to acknowledge NW Straits Commission, please update the logo to the Commission logo at your earliest convenience.

Q: Why was the NW Straits Initiative terminology used previously?

A: The term “NW Straits Initiative” came from federal legislation, the NW Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act, which authorized the NW Straits Commission. Over time, the Initiative terminology was used to describe work across several independent organizations, including the Commission and MRCs. With organizational changes among partners, we now use “NW Straits Commission” to clearly identify the Commission’s role.

Q: Does this change affect how funders should be acknowledged?

No. Funding attribution requirements remain the same.

 

Last updated on September 23, 2026