The Atlantic Forest originally existed along much of the East coast of Brazil and covered over 2 million square miles. However, much of Brazil’s population growth has occurred along this same coast, with 85% of the country’s 175 million inhabitants now living there. Consequently, only 7% of the original Atlantic Forest exists today. The largest remaining contiguous block of this ecosystem is the Guaraquecaba Environmental Protection Area, in the southern state of Parana.

What remains of the forest is extraordinarily rich in species and is globally outstanding in biological distinctiveness. And it is critically endangered! The United Nations Economic and Social Organization (UNESCO) has recognized the Atlantic Forest as one of the planet’s highest priorities for conservation and has designated it a World Biosphere Reserve. More than half of its tree species and nearly three-quarters of its other plants are endemic (found nowhere else on Earth); 171 of Brazil’s 202 officially endangered species rely on the Atlantic Forest for their existence. The Guaraquecaba area is home to at least 15 species of globally endangered birds as well as one species of primate – the black-faced lion tamarin – which was only recently discovered by scientists. About 130 species of mammals and 535 species of birds are known from the area. Roughly 50 of the mammal species and 160 of the bird species exist nowhere else. In addition, many migrant bird species from the United States, such as swallow-tailed kites and purple martins, are found near Guaraquecaba during the Northern Hemisphere's winter months.

The 775,000 acres of the Guaraquecaba Environmental Protection Area consist of lower and upper montane tropical forest, estuaries, bays, islands, mangroves, and coastal lowlands, as well as a coastal mountain range and plateau. As a "paper park," it is designated for protection by the government of Brazil, but in reality, it receives little protection from destructive actions and practices.