About

Jani Schulz on her rainforest ranch (finca) in Mogos on the Osa Peninsula.

Rainforest Radio was a concept of Jani Schulz, whose has been actively involved in sustainable conservation practices throughout her life. From 1990-2004, Jani published a magazine on sustainable use with readership throughout the world. During these years, she traveled around the globe reporting and speaking on the sustainable opportunities for the private business person which would aid in conservation of animals and lands. Jani even published a second publication out of Adelaide, Australia to serve the specific needs of Australia’s diverse population and ecosystems.

Jurgen Schulz with a baby elephant at his Catskill Game Farm, New York

Jani is married to Jurgen Schulz, whose family has been actively involved in conservation since 1898, beginning with Jurgen’s grandfather, Christoph Schulz in Arusha, Tanzania at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. In March of 2010, Jurgen was inducted into Exotic Wildlife Association’s Hall of Fame for his lifetime contribution to conservation through private ownership. The 112 year commitment to conservation of the Schulz family moved to Costa Rica in 1995 with the purchase of their rainforest property on the Osa Peninsula. The Schulz’s noticed a real threat to the area due to growth and development and the serious social needs of the area. With lifetimes of dedication and global contacts in conservation, Jani and Jurgen decided Costa Rica had all of the ingredients to be an example to the world in the preservation of rainforest areas and sustainable living practices; thus, Rainforest Radio was born.

Adam Johnson (left), Roberto Rainforest (right) at La Tarde, a beautiful rural tourism experience on the Osa Peninsula.

In September 2009, Adam Johnson, son of Jani Schulz and a graduate of Texas A&M University in Agriculture Leadership and Development, moved to Costa Rica to help launch this Rainforest Radio movement. Adam has been coming to Costa Rica since 1993, and attended classes at Veritas University in Costa Rica taking courses in Marine Biology, Tropical Ecology, and Spanish. Adam, an Eagle Scout since age 13, has worked on many projects in developing expanded habitat for indigenous birds and animals of the Osa Peninsula. With Adam’s education, his years in scouting, experiences growing up in a family dedicated to conservation, and his projects working on a private game reserve in South Africa have all contributed to his ability and insight into the goals of Rainforest Radio Costa Rica.

left to right, Ricardo Escalante, Adam Johnson , Roberto Rainforest, Reina de la Jungla

Although the Schulz family had the insight and concept of Rainforest Radio, the station itself is actually in the hands of Costa Ricans. Ricardo Escalante, production manager, is basically a multi-tasker who understands the Costa Rican market, has 35 years experience in Costa Rican media; and, Ricardo lives, eats and breaths Rainforest Radio. Ricardo loves the Rainforest, is sensitive to the social needs of his people, and is passionate about the Rainforest Radio message on all levels. Ricardo’s dedication are exemplary of Costa Rica’s love and understanding of the importance of environment. Ricardo is an inspiration to the team at Rainforest Radio and to all who know him.

Max Tattenbach front and center among school volunteers for his Costas Verdes project restoring eco-systems along Costa Rica's beaches!

Rainforest Radio is proud of Max Tattenbach, our Director of Environmental Issues. Max, a recent graduate of University of Costa Rica in Agricultural Economics, has a passion with his non-profit, Costas Verdes, where he is restoring entire eco-systems along the beaches of Costa Rica. Max also comes from a family who have always put environmental issues in the forefront of their lives. Max began volunteering in Costa Rica’s National Parks when he was just 9 years old, and started his Costas Verdes while attending UCR. To date, Max’s project is responsible for planting over 6,000 trees. Rainforest Radio has adopted Max’s Costas Verdes with the goal of helping Max promote his movement and raise awareness for his project within Costa Rica and globally. Max, also a Costa Rican, is an example to all ages with his passion for his Costas Verdes project, and his understanding of the environmental issues and solutions within Costa Rica. Oh and Max is also a great SURFER!

Roberto Rainforest on the Osa Penisula in his customary form.

Rainforest Radio has a great personality who lives in the jungle on the Osa Peninsula. His name is Roberto Rainforest, the Citizen Scientist for Rainforest Radio. Roberto Rainforest, also Costa Rican, interacts on a daily basis in the rainforest of the Osa Peninsula. Roberto speaks at schools, interviews people on the Osa with concerns and news, is co-host on Jana of the Jungle’s LA Talk Radio Show, and is developing the operations in the Rainforest Radio studio located in Mogos on the Osa.

Note from Jani Schulz:

It would be impossible to bring Rainforest Radio to fruition without the many people within Costa Rica who have contributed to the success of this dream.

I owe so much thanks to Luis Diego Escalante, who listened to my idea of Rainforest Radio Voz de Osa. He believed in the concept from day one and is the person who actually orchestrated the locating of radio station owner Max Lopez, who allowed Rainforest Radio to have a voice within Costa Rica.

Mike Boston of Puerto Jimenez - Biologist, Researcher, owner of Osa Aventura and above all a person who cares from his soul about Costa Rica's environment, but more than that he loves the people of Osa.

I have to thank Mike Boston, a biologist and researcher and owner of Osa Aventura on the Osa Peninsula, who has been my rock, my foundation, and has continued to be the person on Osa I ultimately share and bounce ideas off of. Mike and I consistently engage in magical thinking on a global scale and he has opened the doors to many people and projects taking place within the Rainforest of the Osa Peninsula.

Then, there is Max Lopez, the owner of several radio stations in Costa Rica who has done so much to support this movement. Max allowed us to stay in the offices and studios of his other radio stations in San Jose. Max, who actually owns land on the Osa Peninsula, loves environment, and has made me and my son, feel like part of his family. Max is the best!

Luis Deigo Angulo working installing the new equipment in the San Jose Rainforest Radio studio.

Our Chief Engineer, Luis Diego Angulo Morales, has guided and updated our equipment in the studio in San Jose and in our new studio located on the Osa Peninsula. Luis Diego has traveled to Chile to acquire new transmitters, has overseen the tower construction on Osa, installed broadcast quality webcams on Osa. Basically he has been responsible for elevating Rainforest Radio to the highest quality of technology the world of radio offers. At the time I am writing this, Luis Diego is preparing to install in the coming weeks, those new transmitters increasing our quality and range in Costa Rica. But, Luis Diego is not just the best engineer, he is my dear friend. He has held my hand through this process helping me bring my ideas and goals to reality.

Osa Peninsula gets her tower so she can have her Voice! Photo by Kendale Perry

With Luis Diego, there is our other engineer, Luis Francisco Angulo Cordero whom is the kindest person. He is talented, experienced, always smiling and always helping in the field and in the studio in San Jose. Luis Francisco played a major role in the tower erection on Osa and in all the technological projects with Rainforest Radio. Whatever the technical issue is, Luis Francisco is always there to save the day. He has spent much time in Osa making this a reality. Luis Francisco is a very special person who loves the rainforest, his country and life. He too is my dear friend.

In addition to everyone I listed above, we also have Reina de la Jungla, Ivannia Escalante, and a group of great show producer’s whom you can read all about in our show schedule. There is a biography on each of them. There is Terri Peterson of Osa who has been so much help with contacts and support of this project. There is Roberto Aceveda who has been with me through the talking stages to reality in this project. Geinier Guzman of La Cusinga, Terry and Katya Conroy of Lookout Inn, whom have opened their lodges and embraced our projects. Carlos Leon has organized meetings and helped our friend Abi Ferrin in her quest to supply jobs to women who live in the rainforest areas of Osa.

There are so many others who have reached out to our Rainforest Radio project. My personal thanks goes to everyone who has played a part in the birth of Rainforest Radio. I feel so honored by this responsibility, and never have I felt so at home among people as I do in Costa Rica.

Greg Johnson (right), Jurgen Schulz (left) on a panga (small boat) leaving a small creek (cabrada) to enter the Golfe Dulce next to Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula in search of whale and dolphin viewing.

I also need to thank those outside of Costa Rica who have been helping with the Rainforest Radio movement. Greg Johnson, a landowner on Osa and director of Rainforest Recovery, has been on numerous trips to Costa Rica to help on various levels. Abi Ferrin with her Freedom Project has given hope to lives of women on Osa and has spotlighted this region and our efforts on runways from Coast to Coast in the United States. I have to thank Randall Oliver, an actor and life long friend who has told me the truth when I needed to hear it, and has inspired me, and who continues to spread the word to all he meets. Also, Randall thanks for arranging LA Talk Radio and introducing me to your radio contacts who care about our message.

Adrian Tovar (left), Abi Ferrin (center), Carlos Leon (right) with women of the Osa who will are discussing needs to be able to sew Abi Ferrin fashions.

Thank you to my college friend Awny Khashoggi, who has become involved in helping expand us on a global scene through his amazing contacts interested in environment on numerous levels. Trust me, Awny will become a household name before all of this is done. He is a treasure to Rainforest Radio and our planet.

A huge thank you goes to our Webmaster Kendale Perry, whom I have known my entire life. Kendale, who grew up right down the old country road from me in rural Texas, has built and expanded our Rainforest Radio website to a vision standard of the future. He has been available beyond reason, has spent many late nights handling the growth, traveled to Costa Rica and immersed himself in the culture and rainforest of the Osa Peninsula, and continues to dedicate many hours in the important role of making our online visibility interactive and expansive. Kendale truly understands that our online message is the voice of Costa Rica’s Rainforest Radio to the rest of the world! Thank’s Kendale for your magic and for actually understanding me and being a part of this vision!

Thank you to all my friends whom have come and visited me in Costa Rica throughout the years, and those of you whom have supported us through your continued interest in our Rainforest Radio movement.

The above photo is the view from the Rainforest Radio studio on the Osa Peninsula, the reminder of why we are here. Our studio view is of the Golfo Dulce and the rainforest of the Osa. If you look past the little islands you see the expanse of the Osa Peninsula which holds Corcovado National Park and on the other side of the Osa is the Pacific Ocean. So far, Osa has been a success story. You don’t see the Golfo Dulce full of speed boats and traffic. You don’t see high rise condos or as my friend El Tigre says, “megaconstruction” in the landscape. What is located in all that beauty are more species of animals, plants, birds, insects, trees than anyplace in the World! You also find the local Costa Rican people who have lived here for generations. There are others, like myself, whom have moved here to help this effort of conservation. There are beautiful ecolodges, all of which, from what I can determine, are actively and agressively involved in sustainable practices to keep Osa pure. If you made it this far, please join us in our quest to keep Osa safe, to bring sustainable business and tourism to the area, and to live a more sustainable existence on our planet.