Nazaré Paulista is located approximately 100km from Sao Paulo City between the Cantareira and the Mantiqueira mountain ranges. The region is known for its outstanding scenic beauty and for the abundance and quality of its waters. It still harbors one of the most important remnants of Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. IPE has been headquartered in this region since 1996.

This is a strategic region from an environmental standpoint because its three large water reservoirs sustain more than twelve million people, including the Sao Paulo metropolitan region and the city of Campinas. It also supports some of the largest industrial centers in Brazil.

In Nazaré Paulista, IPÊ is helping to conserve freshwater springs through environmental education and sustainable business practices (making and selling purses and T- shirts with environmental themes, for example). In 2003, IPÊ began work with local threatened species, including the titi monkey and the buffy tuffed-ear marmoset. These are critical steps toward the Institution's goal of reconciling habitat restoration, community involvement and regional public policies.