one of the newest editions to rio de janeiro's extensive portfolio of environmental conservation units, the parque estadual lagoa do açu is a fertile breeding ground for some of the most bio diverse ecosystems in the state. playing a vital role in the protection of rare species and the promotion of ecological sustainability, the establishment of the park was an important component in the conservation of a highly diverse region.

located in the northeastern region of rio de janeiro state, the park takes up significant chunks of the municipalities of são joão da barra and campos dos goytacazes, in north fluminense. it is an area that has long been considered ecologically important, as it falls within a region that was listed as a biosphere reserve, by unesco, in 1992, and was recognized by the brazilian government as a high priority area for biodiversity conservation, in 2004.