Your information source for exciting programs, events and activities throughout the state. Please feel free to forward this issue to a friend and Share The Wonder.

Thinking about visiting an Alabama State Park? Check out some of them before going. You can watch videos on several parks on the Outdoor Alabama Web site.

If you're one of the Alabama tax payers who receive a state income tax refund, you could turn all or part of that refund into helping nongame wildlife. Your tax-deductible donation can help one or more of the 900-plus wildlife species in Alabama classified as "nongame" or illegal to hunt. You can play a major part in ensuring that wildlife in our state continues to flourish for the enjoyment and education of generations to come by simply opting to Checkoff for Wildlife on your Alabama state income tax return using Form 40 with Schedule DC.

Registration is now open for the March 7-9 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Workshop.

Nature-based recreation is an increasingly popular pastime among families. Yet, many women encounter barriers to the outdoors. Thanks to the exciting Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program, scores of women are successfully overcoming these barriers. The BOW program is more than just an event, it is a nationwide movement.

Question of the Month

QUESTION: I understand fishing licenses now expire on August 31 instead of a year from date of purchase. Why did this change?

ANSWER: During the 2007 session of the State Legislature, Section 9-11-32, Code of Alabama 1975, was amended to read: Unless specifically provided otherwise by law, all annual wildlife heritage, hunting, and fishing licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall be dated when issued and shall authorize the person named on the license to participate in the licensed activities from September 1, or the date of issuance, to the next August 31, and then only within the regulations and restrictions provided by law.

Beginning in the 2008 license year, fishing licenses, like all other licenses, expire on August 31 of each year. A set expiration date will make it easier to remember when the license expires. If you purchase a hunting license in addition to a fishing license, you will now have the same expiration date for both.

During this transition year, expiration dates on fishing licenses could make it necessary to purchase a fishing license prior to September 1, 2008. To fish after August 31, 2008, a 2009 license year (September 1, 2008, through August 31, 2009) fishing license would then have to be purchased.