LEWISTON – The Concord River Greenway, a scenic, natural, cultural and historical resource that will link the riverfront in Lowell, Mass., to the city’s center via historic walkways, will be the focus of the annual meeting of the Androscoggin Land Trust and its LA Trails program Thursday night.

The greenway has parallels to the Androscoggin Greenways project, an ongoing effort by the Androscoggin Land Trust since the 1990s.

The annual meeting will be held at Museum L-A in Lewiston, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with refreshments by DaVinci’s. The keynote speaker, Jane Calvin, executive director of Lowell Parks Conservation Trust, will talk at 7:30. The public is invited.

Calvin will speak on the work of that organization and the benefits of urban land protection, in particular the greenway project and the unique partnerships that have evolved from it.

Also at the meeting, Judith Marden of Greene will be the recipient of the 2008 Bonnie Lounsbury Environmental Award. Marden is being honored by the land trust for her longtime support of conservation in the region through her work with the Androscoggin Land Trust, Bates College, Clark Mountain Sanctuary and other environmental causes and organizations.

The Maine Geocaching Association also has been selected to receive the Elliott Bates Stewardship Award. The society is a group of geocaching enthusiasts who devote time and effort to the care and upkeep of ALT-conserved lands and trails.

The meeting will end with a business meeting and election of board members. RSVPs may be sent to [email protected] or by phone at 782-2302.

The Androscoggin Land Trust protects natural areas, traditional landscapes and outdoor experiences within the Androscoggin River watershed by promoting stewardship and supporting a network of public and privately held conservation land. The trust conserves more than 3,600 acres of land, including more than eight miles of riverfront along the Androscoggin River.