Rooted In Legacy:
The Arboretum San Antonio Journey
Rooted In Legacy: The Arboretum San Antonio Journey traces the transformation of a once-forgotten stretch of land into a living monument to the trees, ecological planning, and cultural reflection, this documentary weaves a narrative of reclamation-where the voices of historians, Indigenous leaders, and city visionaries converge to shape a greener, more inclusive future for San Antonio
Behind the Scenes Gallery
Eduardo C. Garza
Narrator
Eduardo Cavazos Garza, founder of the Jazz Poets of San Antonio and longtime Chicano activist, artist, poet, musician, actor, drum-maker, mask-carver and Native American spiritual practitioner, was born in Kingsville, Texas in 1947 and moved to San Antonio in 1974. He served in Vietnam from August 1969 to August 1970 and returned to make use of the GI Bill by studying Art at the University of Texas-San Antonio. He has acted in more than seven films, including The Newton Boys, The Bookie, Even Hand and several made–for–TV dramas, plus countless television and radio commercials. He has also participated in scores of sweat lodges, is active in many indigenous ceremonies, and is an outstanding performance poet. Garza has created hundreds of poems and paintings and thousands of drawings, in addition to many wooden faces carved from tree trunks. Garza continues to curate and organize art shows and poetry and music events as he has for decades and currently performs with the Jazz Poets of San Antonio for Brick’s Blue Mondays.
Anthony Flores
“Rooted In Legacy” Poem Arthor
Anthony “The Poet” Flores is a three-time San Antonio Grand Slam Poetry Champion who has represented our city in competition on six different occasions at the National Poetry Slam. He has performed his work all over the United States, from local schools & community centers to H.B.O.’s Def Poetry Jam to the famous Lincoln Center in New York City. He is a co-founder of Fresh Ink Under-21 Youth Poetry Slam, the only on-going poetry slam and open-mic for teenagers in San Antonio, and he was also a judge for S.A.’s La Voz City-Wide Spoken Word Competition. Anthony The Poet has also recently completed his 8th year of serving as a judge for the San Antonio Public Library’s Young Pegasus Poetry Contest for kids and young adults. A few years ago, he founded The University Of The Spoken Word, a collective of spoken-word artists that has performed at some of the city’s most high-profile cultural events, including Una Noche En La Gloria, Luminaria, and the touring Matisse & Pablo Picasso Tapestries exhibits at the San Antonio Museum of Art, to name a few. His widely popular “Manu Ginobili” poem was published in 2018 as part of the Manu Ginobili Tribute Poster by the San Antonio Express-News, and he was named “Best Local Poet” in the San Antonio Current’s “Best of San Antonio 2018” issue. He released his first full-length book of poetry, CINCUENTA, just last year. He is a full-time poet who lives & works on the Southside.
Ramon J. Vasquez
Executive Director: Tap Pilam Coahiltecan Nation
The Co-Founder and Vice President of the Land Heritage Institute Foundation, Co-Founder of the American Indians in Texas Institute and Co-Founder of the National Urban Indian Family Coalition. Ramon has decades of research on the history of the Coahuiltecan tribes that inhabited the areas where San Antonio now continues to grow. His genealogical knowledge is sought out by people nationwide seeking to understand their heritage. His grandchildren remain an inspiration. Ramon also serves as a spokesperson for the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation.
Rhonda Minten
Asst. Prof. of Practice, History at UTSA
A proud product of the University of Texas System, Rhonda earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Since Spring 2011, she has taught history at UTSA, offering a range of courses including Texas History, World Civilizations, American History: Pre-Columbian to Reconstruction, and American History: Reconstruction to the Present.In collaboration with colleague Patrick Kelly, Rhonda co-edited Living on the Edge: Texas During the Civil War and Reconstruction, a primary source supplemental text examining Texas during the Civil War era. The book was published in 2015 by Cognella Publishing Company.Rhonda’s passionate about both studying and teaching history and believes that understanding the past is essential—”because we all create history, and we are all shaped by it.”
Hon. Henry Cisneros
Founder & Board Member: Arboretum San Antonio
Henry Cisneros is a nationally recognized public servant, business leader, and civic advocate. He served as Mayor of San Antonio from 1981 to 1989, where he focused on economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and expanding opportunities for the city’s growing population. He later served as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997, leading national housing policy and community development initiatives.
In addition to his public service, Cisneros is the founder and a board member of Arboretum San Antonio, reflecting his long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and enhancing quality of life in the region. Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to strengthening communities and expanding opportunity through public, private, and nonprofit leadership.
Adriana Quiñones
CEO: Arboretum San Antonio
Raised in Ohio, Adriana began her career in public horticulture as a teenager at The Dawes Arboretum. She holds a B.S. in Landscape Horticulture and an M.S. in Plant Molecular Genetics from The Ohio State University. Adriana is recognized for leading successful capital campaigns, building strategic partnerships, and expanding educational programming at botanical institutions nationwide. Her vision centers on creating equitable, safe, and accessible green spaces that serve and inspire diverse communities. Under her leadership, the Arboretum San Antonio is on track to open to the public in early 2028 as a premier, sustainable, and educational green space for the region.
Full Crew:
Directed by: Robb S. García
Written and Edited by: Robb S. García
Drone Photo/Video by: Oscar Williams Photographer LLC
Produced by: Robb S. García and Andrew Sell
Executive Produced by: Anna Cawrse
Director of Photography: Robb S. García
Camera Assistant: Sylvia Mizielińska
Production Assistant: Amanda Rodriguez
Second Production Assistant: Ron Garcia
Sound Editor: Federico Chavez-Blanco
Music Composer: Federico Chavez-Blanco
Production Company: 3807 Productions, Sasaki