the estação guaxindiba in itabapoana is classified as a conservation protection unit, wich covers an area of approximately 3260 hectares on the east side of the guanabara bay, past the cities of niterói and são gonçalo. the unit was established in 2002 in an attempt to preserve the local wetlands as well as some of the last remaining mata de tabuleiros (board forest) in this region of the state.

the mata de tabuleiros is a rare seasonal forest, that shares more similaritites with european and north american forests as opposed to the mata atlântica found elsewhere in the state of rio. this means that many trees within this biome shed there leaves anually in winter - which signifies the driest time of the year. 

the unit's headquarters offers accommodation for staff and researchers, a visitor centre and an observation towers. theses, along with the administartive buidlings and have been build with sustainable building methods, in line with the mission of the conservation unit.