About This Project
Why I Built This
This project started as a way to improve my vibecoding skills: building something quickly, intuitively, and with purpose. But I didn't want to create just another demo app. I wanted to build something that mattered.
I asked myself: what's worth paying attention to? What deserves to be seen, remembered, and protected? The answer was clear: the species we're losing, the ones we've already lost, and the ones we still have time to save.
The Idea
"Why Can't I Have It?" is a species conservation directory that connects people with the reality of biodiversity loss. It's not just data; it's a reminder that every species has a story, and many of those stories are ending.
Using the iNaturalist API, this project lets you search for species and learn about their conservation status. Each status comes with a message that cuts through the scientific jargon and speaks to what's really happening: extinction, endangerment, and the fragility of life on Earth.
Making Skills Meaningful
As developers, we have the power to build things quickly. But speed without purpose is just noise. This project is my attempt to use technical skills for something meaningful: to create a tool that educates, raises awareness, and maybe even inspires action.
Vibecoding isn't just about moving fast. It's about building with intention, creating experiences that resonate, and using our craft to tell stories that need to be told.
What's Next
This is just the beginning. I plan to expand this project with more features, better data integration, and deeper insights into conservation efforts. But more importantly, I hope this inspires others to think about how they can use their skills to make a difference.
Because at the end of the day, the question isn't just "Why can't I have it?" - it's "What am I doing to protect what we still have?"
Built with Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and data from iNaturalist.
A personal project exploring the intersection of technology and conservation.