Coastal Rivers is offering a start-to-finish guide pack basket-making class on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Denny Conservation and Education Center at Round Top Farm in Damariscotta. This class is for all ability levels, from beginner on up.

Guided by instructor Jes Steele of Wood Thrush Wilderness, participants will weave a 15-17” tall basket using strips of ash. The baskets will have a wooden base, feet and handle along with pack straps. There will be a variety of color straps from which to choose. Steele will go through the process of making the basket step-by-step to ensure that all will end the day with a finished basket.

The ash strips will be prepared for the class ahead of time, but students will have the opportunity to pound an ash log during the program. Steele will talk about the history of pack baskets and discuss materials that have been used to make them over time.

Participants are asked to bring water, lunch, snacks, and anything else needed to be comfortable for a full 8-hour day of basket weaving.

The fee for materials and instruction is $230, or $200 for Coastal Rivers members. Registration is required at coastalrivers.org/event/weave-your-own-ash-guide-pack-basket. Registration closes on Oct. 31, and refunds will not be possible after Oct. 28.

With a B.A. in ecopsychology and a master's in outdoor education from Prescott College, instructor Jes Steele has been working in the field of adventure and environmental education for more than 30 years.

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is a non-profit, nationally accredited land trust with active programs in land conservation, water quality, trails and public access, and nature education in the Damariscotta-Pemaquid region. For more information, email info@coastalrivers.org or visit www.coastalrivers.org.