The United States of Extinction by Center for Biological Diversity

It’s easy to forget that wildlife extinctions are all around us. That’s why the Center for Biological Diversity created an immersive, interactive map that highlights an extinct species from all 50 states. Each of them serves as a warning to us about the plight of so many endangered species today.

The origins of the data for this project are in scientific records dating back to the 1800s, illustrations of long-lost partial specimens made whole by consulting experts, and photos and videos of species that were declared extinct as recently as 2021. Each state’s species was picked to form a piece in a tapestry that tells a story across the breadth of taxonomy, geography, and history of extinction in the United States.

The site’s interface is styled with signage from National Forests and vintage color palettes to evoke an emotional connection to a reality just out of reach when these species still existed all around us. Flat vector design, guided navigation, and conservative animations were used for consistency and accessibility across user devices.

The project was a labor of love for these species. Welcome to the United States of Extinction.