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Duane Anderson, GIS Program Manager
of the Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS), is scheduled
to be the guest speaker at the next NRIS Seminar. His presentation is
set for Friday, May 24 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm in the conference room of
the Montana State Library at 1515 East 6th Avenue in Helena.
The seminar, entitled, "Using NRIS Thematic Mapper and TopoFinder," will include a description of the applications, details on how and why they were developed, and an on-line demonstration on how to use the applications. The presentation will conclude with an audience question and answer session. The NRIS Thematic Mapper, deployed in February 2001, is a powerful Internet application that allows users to enter geographic search criteria, then view, map, report, or download a variety of GIS data layers loaded into the system. Some of the data available include: base map data, land ownership, stream data, well information, Census population data, and water rights. According to NRIS Director Jim Hill, "Since its deployment, this system has served nearly 500,000 map or report requests. Providing these services through the Internet allows us to vastly increase the number of users we serve while maintaining a very small staff." The NRIS TopoFinder, deployed in January 2000, allows Internet users to find portions of digital USGS quadrangle maps on-line, using a variety of search criteria. Currently, users can search for maps using township, range, and section; latitude and longitude, quadrangle name; or by using a 'named feature' search from the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Once a search is entered, TopoFinder returns the selection as an active on-line map that can be resized, zoomed, or panned. TopoFinder also returns the coordinates of the point selected, as well as other information about the location. The maps can easily be downloaded for printing. Since its deployment, TopoFinder has been augmented with aerial photography for Montana, which can also be viewed by users. Natural resource professionals as well as the public are invited to attend. This seminar is free of charge. For more information, call (406) 444-5356. Interested individuals are also encouraged to visit the NRIS website at: nris.state.mt.us. The Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) was established
in 1985 by the Legislature. NRIS, a division of the State Library, acts
as a clearinghouse for natural resource information. Contact: Anastasia Burton (406) 444-5357 |