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What we do

Case studies

Why a project was done, what we did, and what came of it. 19 projects across our five service areas.

Workshops & Facilitation

Northern restoration community of practice workshop

SERN BC · Prince George, BC · 2024

Context and objectives

SERN BC asked Fuse to help with a two-day workshop in Prince George.

Why the project was done

The goal was to spark a community of practice for restoration professionals in Northern BC.

What we did

Fuse worked with the planning committee on an agenda that combined presentations of practical insights with collaborative breakout sessions, designed a facilitation plan to focus the conversation and capture ideas, and managed all event logistics. Attendees voted on the most important next steps.

Outcomes reported

SERN BC expressed the desire to keep building the community of practice, and Fuse developed a proposal of next steps from the feedback. Post-workshop survey: "honestly - best facilitation I have ever seen."

Workshops & FacilitationKnowledge Synthesis

Wildfire Community Impact Research workshop

FPInnovations · Canada · 2024

Context and objectives

FPInnovations and partners set out to create a Canadian framework for wildfire community impact research. The workshop was the second Canadian gathering of researchers in this field, and brought in wildfire agencies from outside Canada.

Why the project was done

Agencies have studied how wildfires affect communities for almost 100 years without international collaboration; the workshop aimed to foster an international community of practice.

What we did

Fuse planned and facilitated the 4-hour hybrid workshop, providing format and equipment so 25 people from over a dozen agencies on Zoom could work with 35 people in the room across more than seven time zones. Fuse documented findings from presentations and breakout discussions.

Education & Science Outreach

"Sacred Connection to Mother Earth" documentary

Government of Canada – Canadian Forest Service (Northern Forestry Centre, Land Reclamation & Ecosystem Restoration Lab) · Edmonton region, Alberta · 2023

Context and objectives

In early 2022 the Canadian Forest Service's Land Reclamation & Ecosystem Restoration Lab contracted Fuse to support community outreach about land reclamation. With Elder-in-Residence Heather Poitras and Kôhkom Kathy Hamelin, the film explores how three groups of Alberta women (Elders, scientists and farmers) connect with the land.

Why the project was done

The goal is to showcase different perspectives and support students in building authentic, positive relationships with the land and their community. The intention was to go beyond standard truth and reconciliation protocol and build trust and authentic relationships.

What we did

Everyone leading the project was a woman or identified as two-spirited, and Fuse committed to hiring as many Indigenous contractors as possible, including in pre- and post-production.

Outcomes reported

The film won the 2024 Alberta Film and Television Award (Rosie) for Best Documentary under 30 minutes. It premiered at the Royal Alberta Museum during Canadian Forestry Week and was screened at the Telus World of Science with a panel Q&A.

Infographics & Science IllustrationEducation & Science Outreach

Learning from Lake Sturgeon zine

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Canada · Kit Aski Nahnuun (Moose Cree Homeland, Northern Ontario) · 2023, 2025

Context and objectives

In 2023 a WCS Canada scientist asked Fuse to develop a series of science communication pieces, including a zine about the Learning from Lake Sturgeon program for the Moose Cree community. In 2025 WCS Canada's Ontario Northern Boreal Landscape Program came back for an updated issue.

What we did

Fuse reviewed and restructured the text to make it accessible to the community, used community feedback on the first zine to improve the second, and combined illustrations and photos in a highly visual layout, including local artwork and Moose Cree words where possible.

Outcomes reported

The client planned to print and distribute the zines at the Learning from Lake Sturgeon open house in Moose Factory.

Workshops & FacilitationStrategic Advising

Silviculture Innovation Program facilitation

Bulkley Valley Research Centre (BVRC) · British Columbia · 2023

Context and objectives

In response to the BC government's recommendations for old-growth forest management, the Bulkley Valley Research Centre enlisted Fuse to develop the Silviculture Innovation Program (SIP). The program aims to advance innovative silviculture systems through research and education, improve access to forest management information, engage practitioners and inform policy.

Why the project was done

The program needed a clear vision and priorities during its conceptualization phase.

What we did

Fuse hosted a knowledge summit to identify knowledge gaps and investment priorities, with live graphic recording, and organized an in-person retreat where stakeholders shared their vision for the SIP. Fuse continues to facilitate meetings of the strategic action group.

Workshops & FacilitationInfographics & Science Illustration

Alberta Wetland Policy guide consultation

Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan Partnership (AB NAWMP) · Alberta, Canada · 2022

Context and objectives

AB NAWMP had developed a guide to help landowners understand, comply with and navigate the Alberta Wetland Policy, and contracted Fuse to consult the agricultural sector about it.

What we did

Fuse coordinated and facilitated three engagement workshops with three stakeholder groups, and used visuals to explain the journey of a controversial public policy and create a solution-focused space where the affected group would feel heard and understand the limits of the consultation.

Infographics & Science Illustration

Catch monitoring pamphlet

Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance (CCIRA) · Campbell River, BC · 2022

Context and objectives

The CCIRA was created by the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai'Xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nations to support Nation-level marine use plans and stewardship projects on BC's Central Coast.

Why the project was done

CCIRA wanted to communicate the Nations-led catch monitoring program to recreational fishers, to increase awareness and participation.

What we did

Fuse illustrated a tri-fold pamphlet for fishing lodges, drawing on the client's reference imagery to evoke the land, seascape and docks where fishers meet catch monitoring staff.

Outcomes reported

The pamphlets were printed and distributed at recreational lodges. In April 2023 CCIRA returned to Fuse for a tent card in the same style.

Knowledge SynthesisWorkshops & Facilitation

Flow device best management practices

Project Beaver (formerly The Beaver Coalition) · Oregon, US · 2022–2023

Context and objectives

The Beaver Coalition (now Project Beaver), an ENGO, asked Fuse to design and run a collaborative review of best management practices for installing flow devices that allow coexistence with beavers and meet Oregon's fish passage bylaws. The collaboration spanned national and state agencies (ODFW, NOAA, ODSL, USFWS) and NGOs.

Why the project was done

Releasing the BMP was a key step in balancing the needs of beavers and salmonids in Oregon's waterways; the conversation had been stalled for two years before Fuse was hired.

What we did

Fuse facilitated multi-sector meetings, held one-on-one conversations with each organization between meetings, summarized each party's needs and concerns, and coordinated the review. Fuse also synthesized and illustrated the BMP with conceptual diagrams, permitting flow charts and tables.

Outcomes reported

Within 12 months, the work enabled the release and roll-out of the BMP.

Infographics & Science Illustration

Post-fire carbon recovery infographic

Bulkley Valley Research Centre · Central Interior, BC · 2022

Context and objectives

Bulkley Valley Research Centre engaged Fuse to develop an infographic on post-fire carbon recovery.

What we did

Fuse's science communicators drew from the provided manuscript to draft text and develop illustrations of key concepts, and tailored the infographic for social media and print at the client's request.

Workshops & Facilitation

Wildfire information system user engagement

Canadian Forest Service · Canada · 2022–2023

Context and objectives

The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) monitors fire danger and fire occurrence across Canada and produces daily fire weather and fire behaviour maps used by many users.

Why the project was done

Ahead of launching a new CWFIS website in 2023, the client wanted detailed feedback on how the site was used, what wildland fire information people need and how the system could serve users better.

What we did

In consultation with CWFIS, Fuse coordinated and facilitated eight focus groups with a list of users and user groups provided by the client.

Outcomes reported

The 'What We Heard' report was used to decide which changes to implement on the new version of the website.

Education & Science Outreach

Eco Regions 360° photo tours

Alberta Tomorrow, Government of Canada · Edmonton region, Alberta · 2021

Context and objectives

Alberta Tomorrow is an educational tool that helps teachers and students learn about sustainable planning and development within Alberta's ecosystems.

Why the project was done

Alberta Tomorrow wanted to expand the program and keep providing teachers and students with rich, engaging content.

What we did

Fuse created custom 360-degree photo tours with interactive hotspots on key plants, landscape features, animals and human uses of each ecoregion, and embedded audio clips of local bird species.

Knowledge SynthesisStrategic Advising

Restoration framework for legacy seismic lines

Government of Alberta · Alberta · 2021

Context and objectives

In 2021 the Government of Alberta asked Fuse to help update the Provincial Restoration and Establishment Framework for Legacy Seismic Lines. Matthew Pyper and Sonya Odsen were lead authors, in collaboration with Woodlands North.

Why the project was done

The framework aimed to set targets and expectations for restoration work, including criteria to evaluate mid-term outcomes and forecast recovery trajectories.

What we did

Fuse worked with the province to identify the framework's strategic goals and desired outcomes, interviewed key government members and independent contractors, and engaged industry stakeholders and Indigenous communities early in development.

Infographics & Science IllustrationEducation & Science Outreach

Alberta and Canadian Narratives Projects toolkit

Climate Narratives Initiative · Canada · 2020

Context and objectives

Fuse was contracted to help communicate the findings of the Canadian Narratives Project and the Alberta Narratives Project, including audience segmentation results and key messages.

Why the project was done

The key messages were developed to open up productive conversations with each audience.

What we did

Fuse helped clarify what the reports meant for the client and its audiences, sketched several concepts and chose a direction with the client's feedback, and advised which materials suited which presentations and platforms.

Infographics & Science Illustration

NWT Baseline Vulnerability Assessment figures

Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service · Northwest Territories · 2020

Context and objectives

The Canadian Forest Service engaged Fuse to review the Northwest Territories Baseline Vulnerability Assessment, a large technical document on climate change.

What we did

Fuse recommended sections where figures would clarify technical details, then developed the approved figures.

Infographics & Science Illustration

Vulnerability assessment guidebook figures

Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service · Canada · 2020

Context and objectives

The Canadian Forest Service engaged Fuse to review the guidebook "Pathways to a Climate Resilience Community: A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Framework – A Guidebook for Canadian Forest-based Communities".

What we did

Fuse adapted and improved the existing figures in a unified style.

Education & Science OutreachInfographics & Science Illustration

Youth Climate Narratives Project

Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE) · Alberta, Canada · 2020–2021

Context and objectives

The Alberta Council for Environmental Education contracted Fuse to help deliver focus groups across Alberta.

Why the project was done

The aim was to understand how Alberta students feel about climate change.

What we did

Fuse led content writing, infographics and layout for communications materials at every stage. It first produced materials for teachers and parents whose children would take part, then, after the focus groups and province-wide polling were analyzed, materials to mobilize the findings.

Education & Science OutreachInfographics & Science Illustration

EMEND for Schools forestry education materials

University of Alberta – Renewable Resources Department (EMEND) · Alberta · 2019

Context and objectives

The EMEND (Ecosystem-based Management Emulating Natural Disturbance) project at the University of Alberta wanted forestry education materials for schools. Most of the content is hosted on the EMEND for Schools website; other content was printed as interpretive signs and posters for the kiosk and trails.

What we did

Fuse began with a curriculum review and scoping project to show where the client's work aligned with the Alberta Education curriculum, then presented three education program options targeting different grades, topics and research areas. Grades 4–6 were selected; Fuse helped test and market the resources at teacher conferences and in Edmonton classrooms.

Strategic AdvisingEducation & Science Outreach

State of the Forests communications strategy

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment – Forest Service Branch · Saskatchewan · 2016

Context and objectives

The Forest Service Branch wanted to envision a new way of reporting on the State of Forests in Saskatchewan. Fuse was asked to work with forest age as an indicator and to develop a communications strategy and example tools.

Why the project was done

The project was a prototype meant to pitch new, creative ways to communicate with the public about Saskatchewan's forests, including helping the public see the forests as a public resource they own.

What we did

Fuse carried out a jurisdictional scan and proposed new ways for the Government to communicate about forests and forest health. The work connected science to audiences through their emotional connections to forests.

Strategic Advising

Wildfire Resilience Consortium strategic advising

FPInnovations and Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction · Canada

Context and objectives

The Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada (WRCC) aims to become a national Centre of Excellence focused on the uptake of technology innovations, knowledge mobilization, and Indigenous fire science and cultural use of fire.

Why the project was done

The client asked Fuse for strategic advising throughout the WRCC's visioning, partnership development and funding application stage.

What we did

During the 'Engage' phase, Fuse provided strategic advising, facilitation, project management, writing and graphic design, reaching out across the wildland fire ecosystem. Using the Chaordic Stepping Stones, Shelagh Pyper guided foundational partners to a shared vision, a proposed structure and Principles of Working Together.

Outcomes reported

Foundational and supportive partners were established during this phase, and Fuse went on to support the 'Connect' phase.

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