Madalena Patacho is a naturalist with special expertise in marine biology and ecotourism. After she earned her master’s in natural resources management, Madalena lived on Príncipe Island, off the west coast of Africa, working with local communities to create and implement a sustainable plan for tourism development.

A passionate traveler with an insatiable curiosity about nature, geography, and biodiversity, Madalena has traveled and worked around the world from North to South America, Europe, Africa, the Arctic, Asia and most recently the South Pacific. With its marine reserves and volcanoes, ancient ruins and indigenous communities, Baja California is one of her favorite places for true exploration. She has extensive knowledge of its diverse landscapes, biodiversity, and rich cultural environment.

For the last 15 years she has worked as a naturalist and educator, encouraging travelers to learn and connect with the places they visit. She is inspired by the principles of ecotourism and is always looking for ways to contribute and leave a positive footprint everywhere she travels. When not traveling or lecturing around the world, she works on ocean literacy with a variety of audiences, raising awareness on ocean conservation and biodiversity.