LEWISTON — Youth involvement, water quality, cold water fisheries, and community connections are some of the topics for the 19th annual Androscoggin River Watershed Conference to be held at the USM-LAC on Friday, Dec. 12.

The Androscoggin River Watershed Council is teaming with co-sponsors, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, Bowdoin College and University of Southern Maine to present the forum on the river and the watershed.

Sally Stockwell, director of conservation at Maine Audubon, will cover “The Impact of Climate Change on Fish and Wildlife” at the lunchtime session. Participants will also be discussing the results of a survey being conducted by Bowdoin College to identify watershed issues and attitudes, and their interest in collaborating on programs to improve the environment and communities in the watershed.

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the results of the survey in small groups and put forward their ideas and activities necessary to make the Androscoggin Watershed a better place to live, work and recreate.

Speakers will include representatives from Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Brookfield Renewables, owner of the majority of dams on the main stem of the river, the Mahoosuc and Androscoggin Land Trusts and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Students from Edward Little High School will display posters on river ecology and discuss a special program that they are doing in conjunction with the University of Maine to evaluate stormwater runoff into Lake Auburn.

Lee Dassler from the Western Foothills Land Trust will provide an update on some of the conservation, trail building and downtown improvements that brought BikeMaine to Norway for an evening stay in their one week ride around west central and midcoast Maine.

David Hediger, planning director for the city of Lewiston, will update participants on the riverfront and trail development activities in Lewiston.

To register, go to androscogginwatershed.org, or call the Watershed Council at 754-8158 or AVCOG at 783-9186.

A registration form can be printed from the website and mailed to AVCOG at 125 Manley Road, Auburn, ME 04210.

Registration is $40 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.