NEWPORT — The Sebasticook Regional Land Trust is set to continue its 2024 Speaker Series with a talk by Bob Mallard, executive director of the Native Fish Coalition, at 6p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Newport Cultural Center, 154 Main St.

Mallard will present on Maine’s State Heritage Fish Waters and the importance of protecting native freshwater fisheries, according to a news release from Cheryl Daigle with the Unity-based trust.

According to the Native Fish Coalition website, Maine is the last stronghold for wild native lake- and pond-dwelling brook trout in the U.S., accounting for more than 90% of the remaining intact populations. Wild native trout populations hold important ecological roles in their natural habitat and are important recreational and economic resources in the Sebasticook River watershed.

The introduction of invasive game and bait fish can result in native species being displaced through competition or predation. This initiative, in part, aims to help prevent the introduction of invasive fish species through bucket-biology and the illegal use of live fish as bait.

The Native Fish Coalition is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to the conservation, preservation and restoration of wild native fish.

For more information or to RSVP, visit sebasticookrlt.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!