“The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom”
Theodore Roosevelt
Mount Roraima expedition - May 2023
Photo by Julia Wiśniowska
ABOUT
Mateusz Wrazidlo - mechanical engineer by trade, plant geek by heart.
Since 2003, starting at the age of just 9 he’s been nurturing his passion for rare (especially carnivorous) plants, keeping a particular focus on the montane flora of the Guiana Highlands.
Avid horticulturist and explorer, Mateusz has been expanding his knowledge of the botanical world combining practical experiences growing demanding species in his conservatory and learning about their natural environments during numerous expeditions.
Co-organizer and member of multiple botanical expeditions with focus on documenting rare plants and learning about their habitats, including locations such as Guyana, Venezuela, Colombia, Svalbard or Borneo.
Now a PhD candidate at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, Poland.
Fellow of The Explorers Club (FI’22) and the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS).
OUTREACH
Presenting at the Explorers Club NGEN Speaker Series - New York City, April 2023
Exploring the world serves little purpose if the results are not disseminated and shared with others. I firmly believe that in order to inspire curiosity and expand the understanding of the natural world each and every scientist, photographer or explorer, no matter which field he or she specializes in, has to become a storyteller. Storytelling has a special power - a power to inspire, to intrigue and to motivate. It is a bridge between the world of research and the general public.
I have presented my works and shared my experiences during numerous public events, lectures and exhibitions. No matter whether it’s a festival with thousands of listeners, or a private talk in a secluded mountain hut - I always do my best to spread the spark of curiosity and appreciation towards the natural world!
PRESS & ONLINE FEATURES
Mongabay: “In Venezuela, a mysterious fire sparks concerns for rare mountain wildlife” - by Maxwell Radwin. October 31st, 2023.
Science in Poland (Nauka w Polsce): “Silesian scientist's expedition reveal errors in the maps of South America” - by Katarzyna Czechowicz. March 7th, 2022.
Mongabay: “New orchid species from Guiana Highlands named by Indigenous group” - by Liz Kimbrough. January 15th, 2021.
ExplorersWeb: “Blending Science and Adventure in Remote Guyana” - by Martin Walsh. February 13th, 2020.
The Orchid Review - International Orchid News: “New species living the high life” - by James Armitage. The Orchid Review Vol. 129, No. 1333, March 2021.
TV, RADIO & PODCASTS
Radio interview with Tomasz Gorazdowski: „Life guru – otwórz oczy”. Radio 357 – November 19th, 2022.
Interview with Łukasz Badowski: “Z innej planety: ‘białe plamy’ na mapie w XXI wieku”. Polish Radio RDC - March 8th, 2022. Available as podcast on Polskie Radio RDC (in Polish): LINK
Interview with Izolda Czmok: “Dej pozór”. TVP 3 Katowice - November 7th, 2021. Watch online (in Silesian): LINK
Interview with Paweł Drozd: “Rośliny z Zaginionego Świata”. Polish Radio Program III (Trójka) - February 2nd, 2020. Available as podcast on Polskie Radio: LINK
SELECTED TALKS, PRESENTATIONS AND EVENTS
Speaker at the Explorers Club NGEN Speaker Series: „Gardens of the Lost World” - at the Explorers Club Annual Dinner weekend in New York City – April 22nd, 2023.
Presentation: „Svalbard - w poszukiwaniu Arktycznej Oazy” (Eng. „Svalbard – in search of the Arctic Oasis”) at the KOLOSY travel & exploration festival in Gdynia (Poland) - March 24th, 2023.
Presentation: „Gujana – Ogrody Zaginionego Świata” (Eng. „Guyana – Gardens of the Lost World”) at the KOLOSY travel & exploration festival in Gdynia (Poland)- April 23rd, 2022.
Lecture: “Into the Lost Worlds - Explorations in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region of Guyana” at the EEE (European Carnivorous Plant Exhibition & Exchange) at the Leiden Botanical Garden (Netherlands) - October 9th, 2021.
Lecture & Photo exhibition with Maciej Moskwa: “RORAIMA” - at the 18th Rybnik Foto Festival - September 11th, 2021.
Book & Photo exhibition: “MILIMANI - Biodiversità e ambienti in alta quota tra il Tropico del Cancro e del Capricorno // High altitude biodiversity & environments between Cancer and Capricorn” - Giardino Botanico Alpino, Viote del Monte Bondone (Italy), July-September 2020.
Book available here: LINK
Photo exhibition: “Killer Plants Special Exhibition” - Trautmannsdorf Botanical Gardens, Merano (Italy), April-November 2019.
Lecture: “Carnivorous flora of the Guiana Highlands: summary of 2017 & 2018 expeditions to Venezuela and Guyana” at the EEE (European Carnivorous Plant Exhibition & Exchange) at the Botanical Garden of Bonn (Germany) - June 29th, 2018.
© All images and content within this site are the property of Mateusz Wrazidlo and may not be used in any way without written permission. This includes downloading of images or copying of material with or without commercial intention.
In case you are interested to use an image from this website please send an e-mail to the author (using the CONTACT FORM) and I will be glad to help you.