WAYNE — The Kennebec Land Trust has announced the dates and speakers for its 13th annual March Lyceum lecture series.

This year’s program, The Geology, History, and Ecology of Howard Hill, will highlight many interesting features of the 164-acre Howard Hill property, the scenic forested backdrop to the Maine State House, and one of Augusta’s largest remaining undeveloped parcels of land.

With support from KLT members, private foundations, Maine businesses and the Land for Maine’s Future program, KLT and the City of Augusta plan to have this statewide landmark conserved by October of 2015. The Howard Hill property will provide recreational, wildlife, water quality, scenic and forest-resource benefits for residents and visitors, and will serve as a permanent reminder of the enduring relationship between Maine’s people and the land.

KLT’s annual spring programs 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. The Lyceum is supported by Gloria, Lincoln and Robert Ladd. This year’s series is sponsored by Kennebec Savings Bank.

All indoor programs are held at the Ladd Recreation Center. Snow date for any cancelled program will be Thursday, April 9.

Reading the Historical Landscape of Howard Hill with Kent Ryden, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19: Kent Ryden, former director of the American and New England Studies Program at the University of Southern Maine, will discuss the history of Howard Hill and how natural and cultural processes have worked together to produce the landscape seen today.

It’s Not Just Granite with Robert Marvinney, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26: Bob Marvinney, Maine State Geologist, will provide a brief summary of the last half billion years of earth history as recorded in the rocks of Howard Hill and central Maine, and will discuss how glaciation has molded the landscape over the last million years.

Natural Communities of Howard Hill with Eric Doucette, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2: Eric Doucette, botanist, University of Maine, will focus on the importance of “island habitats” in urban areas, the future ecology of Howard Hill and the plant and animal communities of Howard Hill.

Field programs

Howard Hill History Walk with Brian Kent, KLT board president, date TBA: During this easy hike up Howard Hill, learn about the fascinating history of what has also been named Betsy Howard Hill and Ganneston Park. Participants will try to find remnants of the two-story tree house. All ages.

Geology of Howard Hill, date TBA: Marvinney will lead a geological tour of Howard Hill and the surrounding area. Explore Howard Hill’s boulders and piece together the region’s glacial history. All ages.

Ecology of Howard Hill, Saturday, Sept. 26, time TBA: Join Justin Schlawin, ecologist with the Maine Natural Areas Program and former conservation assistant with KLT. Participants will forage for wild mushrooms, turn over logs for amphibians and see what else can be found. All ages.

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