Mapping Resilience

The Wildlife Conservation Society had years of research showing that some coral reefs are actually surviving climate change better than others. They wanted to turn that data into something people could explore and understand.

The challenge

The science was solid but dense. We needed to stay true to the research while making it accessible to a wide audience — conservationists, policymakers, and people who just care about reefs. That meant getting the data right and making the interface inviting enough that people would actually spend time with it.

What we built

An interactive map where users can explore individual reefs, see what makes them resilient, and understand the patterns across regions. We went through several rounds of prototyping, working closely with WCS scientists to make sure we weren't oversimplifying anything.

The interface supports both quick overviews and deep dives — you can get the big picture or select a specific reef and read its story.

The collaboration

We iterated with WCS throughout. Their scientists reviewed every visualization for accuracy, and we adjusted the design based on how real users interacted with early prototypes. The back-and-forth kept the science honest and the UX approachable.

Launch

The site launched during NYC Climate Week 2023, where it was used as part of WCS's advocacy work with policymakers and the conservation community.