The brief survey, which will be in place for one month, is designed to help NRIS evaluate and improve its services. Jim Hill, NRIS director, said, "This information will be used to help us continue to provide web services that are most useful to government agencies, businesses, and the public for understanding, managing, and enjoying Montana's natural resources."

Website visitors will be asked to complete a brief survey, which focuses on the areas of:

· Frequency of use of NRIS web services
· Primary uses of NRIS information (conservation, economic development, recreation, etc.)
· Type of user (government, business, individual, etc.)
· Value of NRIS services to work and recreation-related activities

NRIS responds to thousands of inquiries each month via its website, which provides various data, reports, maps, and on-line applications. These items help inform users about important issues facing Montanans, including: drought, wildfires, weed management, and plants/animals of concern. Website users can also learn more about fishing opportunities, wildlife management, and water quality.

NRIS was established seventeen years ago by the Legislature. A division of the Montana State Library, NRIS acts as a clearinghouse for natural resource information and provides expert assistance to link users with the best available information.
For more information about the survey, visit nris.state.mt.us