Debbie Dauphinais has been settling into her job as the new Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival coordinator, taking over from Christina Whiting. A former volunteer with the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, Dauphinais took over duties as the shorebird coordinator in August. Dauphinais said Whiting put together “a well-oiled machine” that’s helped her learn how to run the May birding festival.
Dauphinais grew up in Wasilla, where she met her husband, Paul Dauphinais, the former chamber director and now head of the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Debbie Dauphinais will split her time between Homer and Wasilla.
Her family had a boat and spent summers in Seward. She learned about sea birds, but is not as familiar with others.
“I bought flashcards so I can start recognizing birds and what they do,” she said. “I love watching them.”