WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield Conservation Commission and the Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance will host a free public workshop this coming Saturday, June 23, on “Working in the NH Protected Shoreland – What are the Best Practices.”

The forum will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wakefield Opera House, 2 High St., in Sanbornville.

According to organizers, this workshop will bring together citizens, staff from the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES), Wakefield's Code Enforcement Office, Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance, UNH Cooperative Extension and the New Hampshire Lakes Association to discuss how to navigate the tricky world of planning and permitting your shoreline projects, repairs, additions, landscaping and new construction.

The conversation will initially focus on best practices for shoreland property maintenance, redevelopment and water quality protection. A discussion will follow about the future of the NH Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (SWQPA).

Questions and concerns will be addressed by representatives from NHDES, NH Lakes Association, Acton Wakefield Watersheds Alliance, as well as experts. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers and to express thoughts relative to the Act.

Participants will learn about lake-friendly shorefront landscaping, building and remodeling, decks and patios, driveway and road maintenance and erosion control.

The panel includes: Linda Schier and Dustin Johnson, AWWA; Dave Mankus, Wakefield Conservation Commission; Jay Aube, NHDES Shoreland Protection Program; Tom O'Brien, President, NH LAKES; Arthur Capello, Wakefield Code Enforcement Officer; Bob Craycraft, UNH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program; and Cathy Neal, UNH Cooperative Extension, Landscaping at the Water's Edge.

Registration is not required, but requested so organizers can plan for refreshments. Call AWWA at (603) 473-2500 or e-mail info@AWwatersheds.org to R.S.V.P.