Conservation, reforestation, research, ecotourism and regional development united in one single project

 For details, click on each title in the left column

The 159 square kilometer (61 square mile) Esquinas rainforest in southern Costa Rica is one of the last remaining tropical lowland forests in Central America. Its biodiversity is one of the largest on this planet: up to 180 species of trees per ha, 3000 species of plants, 320 species of birds and rare animals such as jaguars, ocelots and four species of monkey. The Association Rainforest of the Austrians, founded by Michael Schnitzler in 1991, is dedicated to saving the Esquinas rainforest by buying the land and donating it to the Republic of Costa Rica. Donations are used to purchase properties that are then integrated  into Piedras Blancas National Park. Recently, Rainforest of the Austrians has initiated a reforestation project with the intention of linking the Esquinas Rainforest with isolated tracts of forest.  The goal is to conserve species richness and to counter gloabl climate change by sequestering carbon.

In addition to the purchase of land in the Esquinas forest, the project includes protection, research, ecotourism and regional development:  

•  Rainforest of the Austrians pays the salaries of two park rangers and supports the Yaguará Program for protection endangered wild cats. 
  
• Since 1993, La Gamba Biological Station has been undertaking research projects in the surrounding forest.  
• The ecotourism project Esquinas Rainforest Lodge  provides employment to men and women living on the border of the new national park.  
• Rainforest of the Austrians has implemented and financed projects in La Gamba with the goal of bettering the living standard of the people.