Kind of sounds like a Nic Cage movie doesn't it?

Because of Earth Day, the changing of seasons, gardening preparation and generally increased outside activity, April is typically a month where more people show awareness and concern for the natural world than any other month.

That attention to the natural world is about to be aided by a one-of-a-kind resource from the Nature Conservancy.  The Atlas of Global Conservation is an unprecedented guide to the state of the planet and our most pressing resource and environmental issues.  Due to be released on April 22nd, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the Atlas presents presents a comprehensive picture of the planet’s animals, plants, and habitats and the threats they face.

The Atlas features 79 richly-detailed, fullcolor maps and other graphics as well as informative dialogue about major trends across the world's terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments.  Each map is supported by a database, which is searchable at a one-kilometer scale.

Based on information compiled by researchers and conservationists around the world, the atlas maps the health of habitats and species on each continent, illustrating where nature is most threatened and where it is thriving.

In compiling the atlas, The Nature Conservancy received contributions from more than 70 research institutions and consulted scientific archives and Google maps. “It was easy to get data for the United States, parts of Australia, Europe,” said Jonathan Hoekstra, lead author of the atlas. “But for Russia? Latin America? The team had to be creative in finding those experts.”

Even though it won't be released until April 22nd, you can view an interactive version online.  Check it out and be prepared to get lost for an hour or so. 

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