“We are not the only beings on the planet with personalities, minds, and emotions; and we are part of, and not separate from, the rest of the animal kingdom.”

— Jane Goodall

Photograph by David Goddard

Ana María Cañas is a Colombian American writer, photographer, translational researcher, and the founder of Deep Rooting, a space dedicated to navigating our inner and collective awareness and relationship to the natural world. Working at the intersection of photography, human resilience, regenerative cultures, and climate change, Ana explores deeply interconnected issues, such as environmental justice, social equity, and the effects and psychological origins of the ecological and climate crisis.

Over the last eight years, Ana has led and collaborated in various research, education, and policy-based projects in New York City. She has worked with government agencies, non-profits, NGOs at the United Nations, and academia. Ana holds a degree in Psychology and Evolutionary Studies from the State University of New York at New Paltz and received her master’s degree in Developmental Psychology, specializing in Human Development and Policy at Columbia University in New York City.

 After spending two-thirds of her life living, studying, and working extensively in the United States, Ana returned to her roots in the Tropical Andes of Colombia in the department of Antioquia with her husband and their dog Scout to steward and regenerate 25 acres of land.  

ABOUT

inspired by

growth, nature, and being.

VALUES THAT INFORM ANA’S WORK:

awareness

creativity

curiosity

equity

connection

empathy

cooperation

Youth Matters! Engaged Roosevelt Island, Cornell Tech. New York.

Youth Matters! Engaged Roosevelt Island, Cornell Tech. New York.

CTAUN Conference: War No More with Gloria Steinem. United Nations, New Yok.

CTAUN Conference: War No More with Gloria Steinem. United Nations, New Yok.

The Good Childhood in a World of Change. Attending with OMEP. Scandinavia House, New York.

The Good Childhood in a World of Change. Attending with OMEP. Scandinavia House, New York.

Psychology Day at the United Nations. New York.

Psychology Day at the United Nations. New York.

Un Cafecito de Educación con Lucia Burga. Interview for Univisión. New York.

Un Cafecito de Educación con Lucia Burga. Interview for Univisión. New York.

Weill Cornell Medicine Heart 2 Heart Program. New York.

Weill Cornell Medicine Heart 2 Heart Program. New York.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension, PASTA Program Celebration. New York.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension, PASTA Program Celebration. New York.

Growing and Learning Together Through Play Program. East Harlem Bilingual Head Start, New York.

Growing and Learning Together Through Play Program. East Harlem Bilingual Head Start, New York.

Creating Family Learning Partnerships to Promote Early Learning. Little Star of Broome Street, New York.

Creating Family Learning Partnerships to Promote Early Learning. Little Star of Broome Street, New York.

Teachers College, Columbia University Graduation. New York.

Teachers College, Columbia University Graduation. New York.

Early Childhood Policy Seminar. Washington DC.

Early Childhood Policy Seminar. Washington DC.

Field Trip with ASA students. New York.

Field Trip with ASA students. New York.

Field Trip with ASA students. New York.

Field Trip with ASA students. New York.

NEEPS Conference. SUNY New Paltz, New York.

NEEPS Conference. SUNY New Paltz, New York.