WAYNE – The Kennebec Land Trust annual lyceum, “Conservation in Maine: Learning from the Past, A View Over the Next Ridge,” will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, March 20 and 27 and April 3, at the Ladd Recreation Center, Gott Road. Snow date will be April 10.

The winter lectures are modeled after the early new England lyceums that began in 1826 in Massachusetts. For many years, New England lyceums hosted lectures, debates and concerts for public audiences. Programs are free for trust members; $5 suggested donation for nonmembers.

The focus on March 20 will be “New England Conservation: An Enduring Rural Tradition” with Richard Judd, PhD, professor of history, University of Maine, and trust advisory board member.

The March 27 focus will be “Land Conservation in Maine: Accomplishments, Lessons and Challenges.” A panel will include Robert Kimber, author; Tim Glidden, director, Land for Maine’s Future; and moderator, Naomi Schalit, opinion page editor, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.

On April 3 the trust will celebrate its 20th anniversary with the topic, “Behind the Scenery of a Regional Land Trust.” The panel will include trust directors, Howard Lake, Norm Rodrigue, Jeff Pidot and Jym St. Pierre, founding president, and moderator, Deb Sewall.

Cake will be served at the beginning of the program.

For more information, call the Ladd Center at 685-4616 or the trust at 377-2848, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tklt.org. The lyceum is being sponsored by the Maine Community Foundation.