The Kennebec Land Trust has announced the program for its 13th annual March Lyceum lecture series. The Geology, History and Ecology of Howard Hill will highlight many 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, according to a news release from the Trust.

With support from Trust members, private foundations, Maine businesses, and the Land for Maine’s Future program, the Trust and the city of Augusta plan to have this statewide landmark conserved by October 2015. The 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.

The Trust’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 in Wayne. Snow date for any canceled program: Thursday, April 9.

• Reading the Historical Landscape of Howard Hill with Kent Ryden is set for 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19.

Ryden, former director, American and New England Studies Program, 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 on Howard Hill today.

• It’s Not Just Granite with Robert Marvinney will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26.

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 is set for 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2.

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.

For more information, call 377-2848 or visit www.tklt.org.