Parque Ecológico Várzea do Embu-Guaçu

Parque Ecológico Várzea do Embu-Guaçu is a protected natural area spanning roughly 130 hectares within the Guarapiranga watershed protection zone. The space displays original Atlantic Forest plant life with expansive riverside landscapes along two rivers.

The protected area was created in 1997 by the São Paulo State Government to preserve this natural landscape. In 2013, it was renamed after geographer Professor Aziz Ab'Saber in recognition of his environmental work.

The park serves as a place where visitors discover how Atlantic Forest ecosystems work and learn about water protection practices. Local groups and schools use these paths to understand the relationship between forests and the rivers that flow through them.

The grounds are open most days and feature straightforward walking trails for strolls and nature observation across flat terrain. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and watch for local weather conditions, especially during rainy seasons.

The area is home to rare araucaria and ipê trees, two of the most valuable tree species of the Atlantic Forest that now survive only in a few protected places. These ancient trees form an unusual landscape along the river banks that is seldom seen elsewhere in this region.