David Matagiese,
a lifelong adventurer and marine biologist by trade, created
EcoVentures to expose a new generation to the beauty and
complexities of the natural world. Realizing that the oceans
teemed with life, much of which was hidden from view, David
knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a future in
marine science and explore what secrets the oceans held. His
explorations took him from his hometown of Cape May, NJ, to studying at the University
of Hawaii where he conducted field work with some of the top
researchers in the Earth Sciences field and in some of the
most remote places on earth, including the northwest Hawaiian
archipelago, active volcanoes on the Big Island, and offshore
seamounts, both above and below the water’s surface. After
completing his Bachelor’s degree in global environmental science,
David’s quest to learn more landed him in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida where he would go on to earn his Master’s degree
in coastal zone management.
David was accepted
into the Nova Southeastern Oceanographic Center graduate program,
home of the world renowned National
Coral Reef Institute and Guy
Harvey Research Institute, where some of the world’s
top marine biologists conduct their research. During this
time, David took a job with the International
Game Fish Association as the Education Director,
becoming the youngest Director in the storied organization’s
history and starting a career that would take him around the
world doing what he loves—getting people actively involved
with nature through hands-on interaction.
During his career
as a marine biologist and environmental educator, David has
worked very closely with organizations like Bass
Pro Shops, the Guy
Harvey Ocean Foundation, the Miami
Dolphins, and TakeMeFishing.org
to design and implement environmental education programs
for hundreds of thousands of participants. He has also
traveled across the globe to establish programs in locations
such as the Bahamas, Mexico, Guatemala and Australia
and has partnered with the Recreational Boating
and Fishing Foundation, National Geographic Education,
Discovery Channel Education, and the Coastal America
Network to create program curricula, develop websites
and launch nationwide initiatives.
An avid
outdoorsman and advocate for natural conservation methods
based on sound-science, David approaches everything
in business and life with a competitive spirit, positive
outlook, and entrepreneurial mindset to deliver the results
he stands behind. In his free time you can find David chasing
fish on light-tackle, riding waves, golfing, exploring
the back bays, hunting, spear- fishing, beachcombing,
or out on another adventure with his wife and son.
