Set for August 23

(HELENA)---Catherine Maynard, natural resource analyst for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Duane Anderson, GIS program manager of the Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS), are scheduled to be the guest speakers at the next NRIS seminar. Their presentation is set for Friday, August 23 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, "An Introduction to Montana Soils Information," will include a description of available data, details on how to access and use them, and some examples of how these data may be applied to particular land management or use scenarios. The presentation will conclude with an audience question and answer session.

The presentation will focus on the NRCS county level Soil Survey (SSURGO) GIS data, along with the companion attribute data known as the National Soil Information System (NASIS). These two products now make traditional soil survey maps and descriptions available electronically, and provide a powerful framework for soil data display and analysis. Soil productivity, erosion potential, water holding capacity, and many other soil properties and analytic outputs are available. A free ArcView extension, called the Soil Data Viewer, will be demonstrated at the seminar.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with state agricultural experiment stations and other federal and state agencies, has been conducting and publishing soil surveys since 1899. Current scientific and technical standards are incorporated into this nationwide system of soil classification, nomenclature, interpretation, and publication. These publications furnish soil maps and interpretations of associated soil properties that are commonly used in giving technical assistance to farmers and ranchers; in guiding decisions about soil use and management; and in planning research and disseminating the results of the research. They are also used in educational programs about soil use and conservation.

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.

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