Jacob Marquez Pantoja

Jacob is a thoroughly self-taught horticulturist, botanist, and writer, whose passion is our California native plants and the life that depends on them. He first learned of our state's natural treasures when he visited the redwoods near the Big Sur coast as a child. He believes natural areas should be open and accessible to all, especially those who actually spend time in them and tend to them, for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. Being a descendant of the indigenous Purépecha of southern Guanajuato México, he sees native plants as connecting us to our history and heritage, and creating a sense of community and place, and believes that growing, planting, and loving them is the most democratic action anyone can take.