2007 Press Release
NavigationArts Begins Conservation-Related Project for NatureServe and National Geographic
MCLEAN, VIRGINIA, July 11, 2007 — NavigationArts has been selected by NatureServe and the National Geographic Society to develop an innovative Internet resource aimed at informing and inspiring land protection across the United States. America's Encyclopedia of Natural Ecosystems and Open Space will incorporate conservation-related data, stories, and multimedia content into a highly interactive map application with distinct national, state, and local levels. NavigationArts will support this project with user experience design and development services, ensuring that the application is as intuitive as it is informative.
"More and better information is currency for all conservation groups, whether they are island land trusts or trans-national organizations," said Leo Mullen, CEO of NavigationArts. "The Encyclopedia will be the first interactive, Web-based national resource for land conservation, right down to the neighborhood level. We are excited to work with NatureServe on a project of such impact."
The project's overarching goal is to preserve the most important undeveloped spaces and ecosystems across the country. Specifically, the Encyclopedia will increase the effectiveness of place-based conservation efforts by allowing local groups to share detailed information and set complementary conservation priorities. NavigationArts' specific project services include discovery and user experience requirements, branding, initial information architecture, and development of a roadmap to achieve a pilot website launch in October 2008.
About NatureServe
NatureServe is a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to provide the scientific basis for effective conservation action. NatureServe represents an international network of biological inventories – known as natural heritage programs or conservation data centers – operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These programs are the leading source for information about rare and endangered species and threatened ecosystems.
