Guaraqueçaba Ecological Station, Ecological station in Guaraqueçaba, Brazil

The Guaraqueçaba Ecological Station is a protected area along the coast that combines mangrove forests, wetlands, and Atlantic Forest sections. It covers several thousand hectares and includes a mix of marine and terrestrial habitats in various stages of preservation.

The area was established as a protected zone in 1982 as part of Brazil's broader effort to conserve coastal habitats. Its creation reflected a growing commitment to safeguard critical ecosystems from threats and degradation.

The station takes its name from the municipality of Guaraqueçaba, not from a person; it is run by the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), the federal agency named after the rubber tapper. Its mangroves yield crabs, oysters and mussels that are an important resource for communities around the bays, which is why the sources call for an efficient management system.

Access is restricted and requires permission from environmental authorities, as the area is reserved for scientific research. Visitors should contact local environmental officials to inquire about possible guided visits or educational programs.

The station's name comes from the municipality of Guaraqueçaba, not from the conservation institute that runs it; the Chico Mendes name belongs to the administering body, ICMBio. The reserve also holds the Ilha das Bananas, in the Baía dos Pinheiros, and the Ilha da Galheta, about 3 km off the Pontal do Paraná coast, whose rocky shore makes landing very difficult.