Alabama artists are invited to enter the 2012 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest, which opens today, January 1st. The winning artwork will be used as the design of the 2013-2014 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp, which is required to be purchased when hunting migratory waterfowl. Entries will be accepted until Feb. 15, 2012. The competition is open to resident Alabama artists only.
 
All eligible entries will be on display February 24, 2012, at the Richard Beard Building, 1445 Federal Dr., Montgomery, Ala., 36107. Following the showing, three judges from the fields of art, ornithology and wildlife conservation will select the winning waterfowl art.
 
“Like the federal waterfowl stamp, revenues from the sale of Alabama stamps are used to procure, establish or improve migratory waterfowl habitat,” said N. Gunter Guy, Jr., Conservation Commissioner.

Women, if you've ever wanted to learn more about many popular outdoors activities and gain the skills to participate in those activities, then the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop is for you.  And this workshop isn't just for novices.  Beginners who want to improve their skills are also welcome to attend.  This is truly an excellent opportunity for all women intersted in the outdoors to learn and participate in numerous activities in a welcoming environment.

This three-day workshop is open to women age 18 and older and will offer hands-on instruction in over fifty courses, including rock climbing, mountain biking, shooting sports, archery, fishing, hunting, birdwatching and many more.

The next workshop will take place at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, Alabama and beginning on Friday, March 2nd - 4th, 2012.  The cost is $225, which includes meals, lodging, program materials and instruction.  This workshop is limited to the fir

U.S. Reps. Spencer Bachus and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) were among more than 100 cosponsors of legislation that would limit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating naturally occurring dust. The bill passed the House of Representatives Thursday by a margin of 268-150. All of seven members of Alabama’s congressional delegation supported the bill.

U.S. Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Robert Hurt (R-Va.) sponsored the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, H.R. 1633. If it becomes law, the bill would limit (EPA) from regulating naturally occurring dust from rural areas to those areas where it is not regulated under state, tribal or local law, where the nuisance dust causes substantial adverse effects and the benefits of federal regulation outweigh the costs.

Coarse particulate matter (dust) is a naturally occurring substance found mostly in rural areas. It is frequently caused by activities on unpaved roads and in farm fields.