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2009 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival - May 7-10Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival
2009 Festival Shorebird Count Tally Results are now available. The Barren Islands trip this year picked up three species not currently on the tally sheet - Great Blue Heron, Thick-billed Murre and Sooty Shearwater.
Welcome to the 17th Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Join us in celebrating spring and the more than 130 species of birds, including over 20 shorebirds, that migrate to Kachemak Bay. This year we also honor the 50th Anniversary of Alaska's Statehood, as well as the Centennial Anniversary of National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. Enjoy presentations by our two Keynote speakers: Jack Dalton, a Yup'ik Storyteller and artist and Paul Baicich, chair of the Council on Environmental Education's Bird Education Network. 2009 Keynote Speakers
He has created and produced five theatrical works of epic storytelling, written a book, and has both a DVD and a CD of his storytelling available. He travels extensively around Alaska, the US and the world sharing his culture and stories in schools, universities, theatres and on Alaskan summer cruises to a wide variety of audiences. At residencies in schools across the country, he teaches the importance of storytelling to the continuation of all cultures and works with students to create their own stories, thus continuing the tradition. He also speaks Swedish fluently and carries a great deal of wisdom for one still considered young. His company, Raven Feathers & the Wind, is based in Anchorage, where he has called home for most of his life. For more information, visit www.ravenfeathers.com
His concerns include an abiding interest in bird conservation and studies in the breeding biology of North American birds. In this last regard, he has co-authored (with the late Colin Harrison) "a Guide to the Nests, Eggs, and Nestlings of North American Birds (1997)". Paul also has co-led a number of birding tours and workshops to Alaska. These Alaska destinations include the Aleutians, the Pribilofs the Seward Peninsula, and St. Lawrence Island. He is on the Management Board of the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture. He is also on the Waterbird Conservation Council and is chair of the Council on Environmental Education's Bird Education Network (BEN). Paul worked for two years for Swarovski Birding, a North American birding project, and for the National Wildlife Refuge Association, promoting support for our unique and valuable Refuge System. He has also been a consultant for the National Wildlife Refuge System (Visitor Services) on issues of popular birding and parallel refuge receptiveness. In addition, Paul co-edits (with Wayne Petersen) the popular monthly "Birding Community E-bulletin". |
Rooted
in Naparyarmiut (Hooper Bay), born in Bethel and
raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Jack Dalton has grown
up an ambassador between two worlds - his Yup'ik and
European heritages. A professional storyteller,
writer and teacher, Jack has been honored by the
World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education as
a Distinguished Dignitary, featured as the cover
story for the premiere issue of First Alaskans
magazine and considered by many people around the
world, indigenous and non-native alike, to be "The
Storyteller". He was also chosen as one of Alaska's
Top 40 Under Forty, one of the top forty business
people in Alaska under the age of 40, and was the
first storyteller ever to perform at the Camai Dance
Festival which is held annually in Bethel, Alaska. 
Paul J. Baicich (pronounced "base-itch") has been an
active birder since his early teens in New York
City. A former employee of the American Birding
Association (ABA), he organized their conferences
and conventions from 1991 through 1995. He edited 14
of their "ABA Birdfinding Guides" from 1990 to late
1997. From late 1997 to early 2002 he edited
"Birding", ABA's bi-monthly magazine. He then served
as ABA's Director of Conservation and Public Policy
until late 2003.