Through a partnership between American Electric Power (AEP) (one of the largest electric utilities in the United States), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) (the largest conservation organization in the world) and the Society for Wildlife Research and Environmental Education (SPVS) (a Brazilian conservation organization), a project to begin protection efforts for the Atlantic Forest in the Guaraquecaba Environmental Protection Area was initiated in 1998. The primary purpose of the project is to capture, or sequester, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by either having it absorbed and converted into plant biomass through new forest growth or preventing it from being released into the atmosphere by further forest destruction. This is being accomplished by purchasing active buffalo ranches and preserving their remaining trees, while returning their pastures to native forest. In this way, the project helps preserve plant and animal species and their habitats at the same time. Once purchased, the properties will be owned and managed by SPVS in perpetuity. The project will also foster sustainable development in local communities by providing alternative income generating activities and education on the importance of environmental conservation.

In addition, neighboring buffalo ranchers are being shown more efficient ranching methods, thereby increasing productivity and reducing harmful effects on the forest. There is also an endowment fund to operate the preserve in perpetuity.