WAYNE — The Kennebec Land Trust recently announced its 10th Lyceum series, Maine’s Aquatic Biodiversity. During March biologists, ecologists and conservationists Dave Courtemanch, Eric Doucette and Merry Gallagher will present programs about biodiversity, plant communities, brook trout and our relationships to the natural world. Field programs and hikes on KLT conservation lands during the spring, summer and fall will follow up on these timely topics.

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. KLT’s Lyceum is supported by Gloria, Lincoln and Robert Ladd. This year’s series is co-sponsored by The Nature Conservancy.

All programs are held at the Ladd Recreation Center. They are free and open to the public.

“Life in Maine’s Lakes and Rivers: Our Diverse Freshwater Heritage” will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15. Dave Courtemanch, director, Division of Environmental Assessment, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, will address: What is biodiversity and why should we care about what’s in our waters? What is unique and important about Maine’s aquatic biodiversity? What are the status and trends of Maine’s aquatic biodiversity?

“Appreciating Maine’s Wetland Plants,” will be the topic from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22. Eric Doucette, botanist and president of Josselyn Botanical Society, will focus on Maine’s wetland plant communities, rare plants and animals that can be found in Maine’s wetlands and how we can experience the essence of “wilderness” in Maine’s wetlands.

“Wild Brook Trout Habitat: The Past, Present And Future Of Maine’s Sentinel Fish Species,” will be discussed from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29. Merry Gallagher, research fishery biologist, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will address: Are Maine’s aquatic habitats compromised because of past and present land uses? How have wild brook trout responded to, and compensated for, changing conditions across a diversity of habitat types? Are wild brook trout inherently resilient to stress caused by human activity, especially climate change?

Snow date for any cancelled program is Thursday, April 5.

Lyceum field programs

Earth Week: Forested Wetlands and wetland plant identification, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at a location to be announced. Visit a forested wetland on a newly conserved KLT property with Josh Brown, KLT member and wetland scientist. Josh will identify common wetland plants — trees, shrubs and herbs — and will explain how wetlands function and their wildlife habitat values. Boots should be worn.

Alewives and Maine Streams, Lakes, and Rivers at KLT’s Seaward Mills Stream Conservation Area, Vassalboro, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Join Nate Gray, Maine Dept. of Marine Resources scientist, and co-steward, KLT Seaward Mills Stream Conservation Area, for a hike and field program. Nate will discuss alewife ecology and habitat, the importance of stream passageways and the historical and natural features of the Seaward Mills Stream Conservation Area in Vassalboro.

KLT Preserve Dedication, Little Cobbossee Lake, Winthrop: A Wetland Conservation Success Story, noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Celebrate and explore KLT’s new 90-acre conservation preserve. This conservation property was purchased with funds from the Maine Natural Resource Compensation Fund and a generous donation from landowner, Mary Oatway. Following a brief property dedication with KLT and Nature Conservancy staff and directors, there will be a hike of the woods and wetlands.

Visit www.tklt.org for a complete list of 2011 program offerings, KLT properties and directions.