Meet the Aquarium Director - May - Jay Barnes, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

Thu, 4/23/2009 - 5:45 PM

Name: Jay Barnes

Actual title: Aquarium Director

Name of your zoo or aquarium: North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores

URL for your facility: www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores

Number of species at your facility: Over 250

Your favorite critter at the facility: Tie: Goliath Grouper / Sand Tiger Shark

Total number of animals or fish at your facility: Over 5,000

Number of visitors annually: 386,000

Number of employees: Approximately 90

Number of volunteers: Over 150

Annual budget: Approximately $3.6 million

Degree(s): EDP Environmental Design (Product Design), N.C. State University; MFA Advertising Design, Syracuse University

Experience prior to this position: I began my career with the Aquarium in 1980, when I was hired as the first Exhibits Curator. In 1987, I relocated to Raleigh and worked as Design Consultant in our division office, supporting the staffs of the three North Carolina Aquariums. In 1989, I moved back to Pine Knoll Shores to take the position as director.

Favorite part of your job: Hearing from visitors, donors and community leaders about the impact of the Aquarium, the excitement and fun of our offerings and the friendliness of our staff.

One dream wish for your facility: To see the Aquarium continue to prosper through facility growth (new educational ocean pier), educational impact, and self-reliance.

Family: wife Robin, daughters Heather and Lindsey

Pets at home: Golden and Lab: Tanner and Jasmine

When you retire, you plan to: Write, paint, teach, travel and continue advocacy for the North Carolina Aquariums
 



       
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Congratulations to ABQ BioPark and the proud cat parents on the birth of three snow leopard cubs. That's fantastic news and we look forward to these three playing an important role in snow leopard survival breeding and also helping educate people about their endangered cousins in the wild.

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“Saving Snow Leopards” website.  See how conservationists and zoos are working to help these rare and elusive cats avoid extinction.

http://www.snowleopardblog.com


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I especially liked if you go to the zoo's homepage and click on the info about naming the baby, the winner says she'd like to be able to tell her dad that a penguin was named after him for his birthday. Adorable!


If you have any interest in reading a new blog, featuring conservation of adorable animals and their habitats, please check out my website...

 

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World Oceans Day Tue, 6/1/2010 - 1:36 PM — TOP

For more information about World Oceans Day and a list of other events in your area you can visit www.WorldOceansDay.org


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Asome news on the new baby! I agree with everyone here on the fact that animals should not be in captivation. If you want to check out a really cool place in Thailand where you can care for elephants check out http://www.elephantstay.com this place is a sanctuary for retired working elephants, it's an amazing place and they do so much good for the animals who live there. I went a few months ago and it was amazing.

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zoo animal diet's Mon, 4/19/2010 - 1:36 PM — veggiedude

It's ridiculous to try extrapolate zoo animals diet to human beings, and it flies in the face of all science of the last 30 years that looked into nutrition and health research. Maybe Rudy Socha was being sarcastic? I hope so.


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I fully agree with you when it comes to the captivity of orcas. These animals live considerably shorter, unhealthier lives than they normally would have in the wild. I am disgusted by what I have seen at Sea World. They claim to be trying to educate people on the animals when really it is all nothing but a circus with the animals being made to perform to attract customers. I am a little more on the fence however when it comes to some other species of dolphins, such as the ones they keep at Vancouver Aquarium. While I do not support the capture of wild dolphins, I do recognize the fact that there are species that actually live longer and perhaps healthier lives in captivity than in the wild. One of the neat things at the Vancouver Aquarium is that none of the dolphins were captured for the purpose of entertainment: they were all animals that were rescued after getting caught and injured in fishing nets and are unable to return to the wild due to their injuries. I have seen the shows and the aquarium are truly focused more on educating visitors than trying to entertain them at the animals' expense.


Christian's Award Sat, 4/17/2010 - 4:37 PM — jparrish

I know that Christian is dedicated to her aquarium job and to the rehab of sea turtles.  I am proud of her.


Dry Tortugas National Park Wed, 4/14/2010 - 12:55 AM — Jehnavi

The seashore, our accredited Summer Learning Adventure Camps merge scientific exploration Dry Tortugas National Park with hands-on fun and learning. Campers investigate marine habitats, create ocean art projects, learn about careers in oceanography, and combine the science and sports of surfing and snorkeling, all while making new friends and memories.


hey Mon, 4/12/2010 - 3:54 AM — lydiaabbey

http://www.deafmatching.com is an online community for deaf, ASL and hearing-impaired friends and singles!
Have fun with photos, message boards, chat, blog and more.


Don't support it anymore Tue, 3/16/2010 - 7:31 AM — starseed2

I think we should move on from having dolphins in captivity now - we all know this isn't good for them.


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A diabetic diet guide on how to manage different type of diabetes http://DiabetesMeal.info

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pacaya samiria national reserve Sun, 1/24/2010 - 9:49 PM — amylynn

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is a magical place.  The flora, fauna, remoteness and beauty are exquisite.  Another interesting aspect is how the indigenous people there live.  To learn more and see photos  taken by indigenous children in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, you can visit ninosdelaamazonia.org



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