Taim Ecological Station, Ecological station in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Taim Ecological Station is a federally administered strict nature reserve of 10,939 hectares, created on 21 July 1986. It occupies a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Mirim Lagoon, with lagoon and marine beaches, lagoons, swamps, grasslands and dune fields. The BR-471 highway runs lengthwise through the reserve, and the entrance is on that road.

The station was created by Decree No. 92,963 of 21 July 1986, covering 10,938.58 hectares on a narrow strip between the Atlantic Ocean and Mirim Lagoon. It is a strict nature reserve (IUCN category Ia) managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. Proposals to expand it to nearly 33,000 hectares have long been debated, opposed by landowners fearing expropriation.

The station's name comes from the Taim wetlands, and the reserve lies in a narrow strip between the Atlantic and Mirim Lagoon, crossed lengthwise by the BR-471 highway. Its 10,939 hectares hold lagoon and marine beaches, lagoons, swamps, grasslands and dune fields, where rufous horneros, southern screamers, black-necked swans and broad-snouted caimans are recorded.

Access is via the BR-471 highway, which runs lengthwise through the reserve; the station entrance is on this road. The station is a strict nature reserve managed by ICMBio, so visits are tied to authorized activities and guided groups rather than free roaming. The terrain is open wetland, lagoon shore and dune field, with strong sun and wind off the coastal plain.

The station's bird list reaches about 250 species, among them the black-necked swan, the coscoroba swan and the southern screamer. The broad-snouted caiman and the capybara are the largest animals usually seen from the BR-471, which crosses the reserve lengthwise.