LEWISTON — Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte will be the presenter at the USM Lewiston-Auburn Senior College Food for Thought 11:30 luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 6. He will give a PowerPoint presentation on the Androscoggin Land Trust. Note the change of day and date for the December Food for Thought due to updating the audio/visual set-up in Function Room 170.

LaBonte grew up in Auburn, graduated from St. Dominic High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Maine. He continued his education by taking graduate courses in public administration at UM. He served briefly in a consulting role by developing an analysis of current joint ventures between the Cities of Lewiston and Auburn for the Mayor’s Commission on Joint Services.

He is the executive director of the Androscoggin Land Trust, a land conservation organization serving 19 towns and cities, spanning all or part of four counties, within the Androscoggin River watershed. This includes working with local, state and federal agencies, as well as land owners and other nonprofits to build support of conservation projects and the development of recreational assets in the region to promote access to the area’s natural resources.

Labonte was first elected to office in 2008 as an Androscoggin County Commissioner, representing Auburn, Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls. In 2009, he was named to the MaineBiz Next List as someone shaping the future of Maine’s economy. The Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce named him businessman of the year in 2010.

On this 40th anniversary year of the Clean Water Act, Labonte will provide greater context to the community-based work of the Androscoggin Land Trust and how the Androscoggin River, and the towns and cities along its banks, have a unique window in history to reclaim the natural and man-made landscape for the future economy. He will highlight projects from Canton downstream through Livermore Falls, Turner, Lewiston-Auburn and Lisbon and how land conservation, protection of working lands and recreation along the Androscoggin River has the potential to set this region apart.

The Androscoggin Land Trust is a membership supported organization dedicated to protecting, through land conservation and stewardship, important natural areas, traditional landscapes and outdoor experiences in the Androscoggin River watershed. ALT offers recreational programs in the region including LA Trails, serving Lewiston-Auburn, Chisholm Trails, serving Jay and Livermore Falls, and the Great Falls Paddling Society, offering seasonal outings on the Androscoggin River. It currently conserves 4,850 acres of land and more than 10 miles of frontage along the Androscoggin River.

Senior College, now in its 14th year, presents the monthly 11:30 luncheon program in the Function Room 170 at USM LAC. The cost, which includes lunch, is $7 with advance reservation or $8 at the door. Reservations must be made by noon on Wednesday by calling 753-6510.