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Dr. Hector Ortiz Cano is a conservation scientist whose work connects plant ecology, cultural heritage, and traditional agricultural knowledge. Raised in Sonoran Desert communities in northern Mexico, he learned from an early age to value the land and food systems shaped by his ancestors — perspectives that continue to guide his scientific approach.
At the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and Action, Dr. Ortiz Cano studies culturally and ecologically significant plants, including traditional crops and wild food species used historically for nourishment, medicine, fiber, and ceremony. His research examines how ancestral agricultural practices and Indigenous ecological knowledge have influenced plant diversity and how these insights can inform conservation, restoration, and climate-resilient agriculture in arid and borderland regions.
A descendant of Pima and Totonaca peoples with cultural ties to the Yoreme community, Dr. Ortiz Cano integrates traditional foodways, seed stewardship, and regenerative land practices into his research and outreach. His work highlights plants such as amaranth and agave, emphasizing their ecological value, nutritional importance, and cultural meaning while challenging the notion that traditional foods are obsolete or insignificant.
Through research, collaboration, and public engagement, Dr. Ortiz Cano advances conservation science while honoring ancestral knowledge, demonstrating how Indigenous land stewardship practices can help guide more sustainable and resilient futures.