ATLANTA -- Being held for 26 years by the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Erosion and Sediment Control Seminar will begin May 30 at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center at 8:00 that morning. 

For 2013, discussions will focus on "Gaining Public Support for Water Quality" and "Atlanta's New Green Infrastructure Ordinance." 

"This is a unique opportunity for the public to learn about controlling soil erosion, stabilizing streambanks and protecting water quality for the citizens and businesses in DeKalb County and the surrounding metro areas," Robert Amos, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission regional representative.

Those who attend will learn about new sediment and control practices, products and programs from speakers including GEMA representatives, and others from City of Atlanta, the Department of Watershed Maintenance, Georgia Tech and the NPDES Stormwater Training Institute.

ATLANTA -- The 2013 "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event will be held through the city on Tuesday, March 26.

A spokeswoman for the ride said more than 1,000 cyclists are expected to participate, as part of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association "GEORGIA BIKES!" program. The bike ride will be escorted by police, and run track through Decatur and Roswell. Leading the pack will be Commissioner Fred Boykin and Mayor Jere Wood, along with more city officials. 

During the "Georgia Rides to the Capitol" event, cyclists hope to raise support for other types of transportation through the metro region. Plus, they hope conditions will improve to allow easier cycling, including the development of regional systems and both on-road bicycling facilities and multi-use trails. 

ATLANTA -- Air Quality Awareness Week recently came to a close, and 15 metro Atlanta counties didn't quite make the clean air cut.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently changed its standards of attainment for ozone standards from .08 parts per billion to .075 parts.

The change means that 15 formerly compliant counties were re-designated at nonattainment for ground-level ozone: Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding and Rockdale.

To clean up the air, residents can try carpooling to work or taking MARTA if possible; fewer cars on the roads means more breathable air for everyone in metro Atlanta.

Learn more about how to reduce emissions and cut down on ozone at www.cleanaircampaign.org.