News
from the rainforest
Regenwald der Österreicher
Association for the preservation of biodiversity in southern Costa Rica
The Regenwald der Österreicher association, founded in 1991 by Viennese musician Michael Schnitzler, is dedicated to preserving an endangered rainforest area in Costa Rica. In the first 25 years, during which 40 km2 of rainforest were purchased and incorporated into Piedras Blancas National Park, the association developed into a pioneer in nature and climate protection.
Today, the association’s main focus is on creating a biological corridor. This includes purchasing cleared plots of land and restoring them through ecological reforestation under scientific supervision. It’s not just about planting trees, but also about restoring an intact ecosystem—creating new habitats.
In addition, the association also funds the employment of rangers who work around the clock to protect the forest and its inhabitants. Involving the local community, sustainable tourism, and tropical research are also key priorities of the association’s work, helping to raise awareness of the rainforest’s beauty and importance.
All of these valuable initiatives are funded exclusively through donations. This highlights the strong solidarity and commitment of people who see protecting indispensable nature as a matter close to their hearts. Pura Vida!
COBIGA Project
New lifelines for the rainforest
The La Gamba Biological Corridor (COBIGA) creates new habitats for a diverse community of animals and plants while preserving the precious biodiversity at the heart of Regenwald der Österreicher’s rainforest. Nature conservation and climate action come together here in a unique way: the project reforests formerly fallow agricultural land with more than 200 different native tree species, connecting existing forest islands. At the same time, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored long-term in biomass, making a valuable contribution to the fight against climate change.
The short film “New lifelines for the rainforest” (2023) beautifully shows how people are working to restore the rainforest habitat.Stay informed
News from the rainforest
Each year, our printed rainforest news shares special moments and the most important events related to Regenwald der Österreicher. In addition, our email newsletter is published four times a year, offering current insights into our projects—conveniently and delivered straight to your inbox.
Regenwald der Österreicher in numbers
As of October 31, 2025
Donate
for the rainforest
Regenwald der Österreicher is considered a biodiversity hot spot. Many animals still live here that are listed as endangered by the IUCN and CITES, including jaguars, ocelots, pumas, three monkey species, rare birds, anteaters, tapirs, armadillos and numerous reptiles and amphibians.
Our vision is an unbroken rainforest from the Fila Cruces to the Pacific coast. Before trees can be planted, land must first be purchased. By contributing to land purchases in the COBIGA Biological Corridor, you make an important contribution to protecting the rainforest.
Reduce your ecological footprint and offset your personal CO2 emissions (e.g., the CO2 emissions from your last flight or your total CO2 emissions over a calendar year) by donating to raise, plant, and care for rainforest trees.
