It started as a federal conservation effort, and it’s turned into a career-making art competition for wildlife painters. For more than 80 years, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has raised more than $1 billion for the conservation of waterfowl habitat through the sale of the Duck Stamp. This is the first- year the competition is being staged in Las Vegas (it’s typically in Washington, D.C.). Springs Preserve is hosting the free, historic event September 14-15, waiving its usual entrance fees. This year’s contest theme is “Celebrating Our Waterfowl Hunting Heritage.”