As we flip the calendar from 2008 to 2009, one administration is heading for the door and another prepares to come in. Before Bush leaves office, my colleagues decided to take a look back at his environmental record - and what we found was not pretty.

After culling through hundreds of reports, press releases, news clips, Web sites and other materials, NRDC experts confirmed what many of us already suspected: The last eight years are among the worst in history for the environment. 

We created the timeline to capture the "low-lights" of the outgoing administration-- eight years of willful neglect of America's environment, its land, air, climate, people and animals. From Bush's cronyism in political appointments to favoritism of industry insiders, it's hard to imagine a president more determined to undermine national treasures, threaten public health and endanger vulnerable animals.

Of course, November 2008 ushered in a breath of fresh air - with President-elect Obama and his dream "green team" of environmental and energy appointments on their way to Washington. Obama and the new Congress have their hands full as they go about restoring environmental protections and playing catch-up on climate change. Not to mention, moving America to clean energy, while jump-starting the economy. Then again, if what he's accomplished in his career is any indication, I wouldn't bet against Mr. Obama.

Take a look at the timeline below. You can scroll through pictures, use the map function, and even add comments. Have some fun! It's the least we can do now that our environmental nightmare under the Bush administration is nearly over...