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Certified Use of Trusted Information from the Montana Natural Heritage Program

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The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) encourages organizations to incorporate trusted Montana biodiversity and natural resource information into their websites, applications, educational materials, and public outreach efforts.

Organizations that participate in our Certification Program help their users access current trusted information directly from MTNHP and also demonstrate responsible use of MTNHP information resources.

Benefits of Certification

Certification Program participants may:

  • Link directly to MTNHP information products and tools
  • Provide their users with access to current information maintained by MTNHP
  • Demonstrate compliance with MTNHP's Data Use Terms and Conditions
  • Receive approved MTNHP certification marks and branding guidance
  • Consult with MTNHP staff regarding appropriate methods of integrating MTNHP resources

Display of an MTNHP certification mark indicates that the participating organization is using MTNHP information in accordance with program requirements and directing users to authoritative MTNHP resources.

Certification does not imply endorsement of an organization's programs, decisions, services, products, or conclusions.

Who Should Participate

Certification Program participation may be appropriate for:

  • State, federal, tribal, and local government agencies
  • Schools, colleges, and universities
  • Conservation organizations
  • Parks and recreation programs
  • Tourism and economic development organizations
  • Resource management organizations
  • Consultants and contractors
  • Industry associations
  • Agricultural organizations
  • Other organizations that direct users to MTNHP information resources

Certification Requirements

To maintain Certification Program status, participating organizations must:

  • Comply with MTNHP's Data Use Terms and Conditions
  • Use MTNHP information in a manner that accurately represents the source and purpose of the information
  • Maintain current contact information with MTNHP
  • Promptly correct or remove uses that MTNHP may identify as inconsistent with program requirements
  • Cooperate with reasonable MTNHP requests regarding use of official links, Certification Marks, or implementation practices

Certification Program participation may be suspended or revoked if an organization no longer meets these requirements.

How to Become a Certification Program Participant

Organizations interested in participating should complete the Certification Program Request Form.

As part of the application process, organizations will:

  • Describe their intended use of MTNHP information
  • Acknowledge and agree to MTNHP's Data Use Terms and Conditions
  • Provide contact information for ongoing communication
  • Receive guidance regarding approved certification marks and implementation practices, if approved

Examples of Certification Program Participants

Certification Program participants may link users directly to MTNHP resources, including:

Species and Habitat Information

  • MONTANA FIELD GUIDE™ species accounts
  • MONTANA FIELD GUIDE™ habitat accounts
  • Species conservation status information
  • Educational resources and reports

Species Lists and Custom Reports For Areas of Interest

  • Birds documented within a state park
  • Mammals documented on tribal lands
  • Species lists for cities and towns
  • Non-native species reports for conservation districts

Maps, Charts, and Visualizations

  • Species range maps
  • Maps of relative density and recency of species observations
  • Habitat density maps
  • Conservation status dashboards
  • Summaries of land stewardship
  • Land Cover summaries

Industry and Resource Management Tools

  • Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification
  • Invasive species awareness
  • Grazing allotment boundary information
  • Conservation planning

Linking Practices

MTNHP strongly encourages direct linking to MTNHP-hosted resources rather than reproduction of MTNHP information. Organizations that direct users to MTNHP-hosted resources using approved linking methods may qualify for certification with fewer requirements than organizations seeking to reproduce or redistribute MTNHP information. Direct linking helps ensure that users receive the most current information available and reduces the likelihood of outdated information being distributed.

Linking Requirements

Certification Program participation is intended to promote access to authoritative MTNHP information maintained directly by MTNHP. Certification Program participants should, whenever practical:

  • Link users directly to MTNHP-hosted content rather than reproducing MTNHP content on their own systems
  • Use stable URLs and approved linking methods provided by MTNHP
  • Clearly identify MTNHP as the source of linked information
  • Preserve any required attribution, copyright notices, or acknowledgments

Unless otherwise authorized by MTNHP, organizations may not present copied MTNHP information in a manner that suggests the copied version is the official or continuously updated MTNHP source.

Use of Certification Marks

Upon approval, MTNHP may provide certification marks, logos, badges, banners, text, or other branding materials ("Certification Marks") for use by Certification Program participants.

Certification Program participants may:

  • Display Certification Marks only in the form provided by MTNHP
  • Display Certification Marks only in connection with approved uses of MTNHP information
  • Describe themselves as participants in the MTNHP Certification Program while certification remains active

Certification Program participants may not:

  • Modify, alter, recolor, animate, distort, or create derivative versions of Certification Marks
  • Use Certification Marks in a misleading manner
  • Transfer, sublicense, or authorize others to use Certification Marks
  • Display Certification Marks after certification has expired, been revoked, or been withdrawn

Use of Certification Marks does not transfer ownership of any intellectual property rights.

Participation in the Certification Program Does Not Constitute Endorsement

Participation in the Certification Program indicates only that the organization has complied with MTNHP-approved practices for linking or displaying MTNHP information. Certification Program participation does not:

  • Constitute endorsement of the organization or individual
  • Constitute endorsement of any products, services, policies, conclusions, analyses, or recommendations of the organization or individual
  • Create a partnership, agency relationship, or joint venture with MTNHP or the Montana State Library
  • Guarantee the accuracy of any information presented by the Certification Program participants

Suspension and Revocation

MTNHP may suspend, revoke, or modify Certification Program status at any time if:

  • The organization or individual violates MTNHP's Data Use Terms and Conditions
  • The organization or individual uses MTNHP information in a misleading or unauthorized manner
  • The organization or individual misuses Certification Marks
  • Continued certification could create confusion regarding MTNHP endorsement or sponsorship
  • MTNHP determines that certification is no longer appropriate

Upon suspension or revocation, the organization or individual shall promptly discontinue use of Certification Marks and comply with any reasonable transition instructions provided by MTNHP.

Questions?

MTNHP welcomes discussion of new ideas, partnerships, and applications of MTNHP information resources. Please contact us at mtnhp@mt.gov