I like to be recognized as a coastal explorer and geographer. Born thousands of kilometers from the sea, mandatory service in the Colombian Navy ignited my passion for studying coastal systems and being an active pacifist. I've been a professor, a researcher, and a project leader in Latin America, and now in Canada. I'm an indisciplinary researcher, with academic experience in engineering, law, and management. I've published in many scientific journals, but I feel equally proud of the short films, gameboards, and tourist guides I've also produced.I'm a full fellow of the Colombian Geographic Society who travels around the world. My perspective is global, but I consider myself a Latin American citizen. I'm working on the concept of scientific tourism: a new way to engage travellers to learn, practice and support science. I understand tourism as a geographical process, not merely an economic activity. I'm seeking to create a tool to conserve at least seven generations more of our coastal heritage.My ultimate goal is to positively influence decision-making, with an emphasis on coastal areas. From the academy to communities of practice, my path is the same that I learned when I was a Boy Scout in Colombia: leave this world a little better than I found it.