About Jack Pine

The Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) is a species of North American conifer found through the northeastern United States and Canada. An adaptive specimen capable of growing as both a shrub and medium-sized tree, Jack Pine is known for it’s ability to quickly repopulate mountain forests devastated by forest fire.

That being said… well, I’m not actually a tree. Instead, I’m an animal keeper who has been with the Bird Department at the Houston Zoo since 2008. That would mean that I am, you guessed it: a person! Even though I’m not really a majestic tree, I like to think that I still express some of those same characteristics. Being an animal keeper here has taught me to be adaptive and innovative in my approaches to everything from enriching my animals, interacting with guests and even finding ways to survive the excruciating summer heat. I’m not sure I could quickly repopulate a montane forest, but given the opportunity I would certainly do my best.

I can typically be found around the Birds of the World section at the zoo with some of my favorite animals. I will readily tell anyone all that I know about our animals with the hope that I might possibly encourage a growing passion for the natural world in our visitors. If anyone is interested I can be found on the Houston Zoo’s Blog, The Houston Zoo’s YouTube Channel and I also typically do Meet the Keeper Chats that can be found on the “Plan Your Day” kiosks throughout the zoo!

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