A free program Saturday aims to help educate on woodland stream protection.

The Northwest Pennsylvania Woodland Association will be hosting an education program at the Slagter Family Woods in Grand Valley. The program, scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to noon, will be at 344 Stoney Hollow Lane, Grand Valley.

“The lakes in this part of the country are one of our most precious resources. We want the streams that feed them to stay healthy,” Bill Benedict, president of the Association said.

“A lot of woodland owners have streams that run through their property. There’s always the potential for damaging a stream during logging, and there are other threats to water quality and stream habitats that arise all year long. We’re trying to educate and encourage woodland owners and supporters to recognize the best way to manage streams and the surrounding woods.”

The Slagter family, according to the Association, has been working with several groups including the Foundation for Sustainable Forestry and the Natural Resources Conservation Service “to improve and protect the portion of Caldwell Creek that runs through their property. Local conservation professionals will be explaining the why and how of the techniques used on the Slagter property.”

“The experts will lead us through the woods and point out the work on and around Caldwell Creek,” the Association said in a statement. “There’ll be plenty of time to ask questions of the conservation experts during or after the walk.”