The Nazaré Paulista region supports one of the most important water resources in Sao Paulo State , supplying 70% of Sao Paulo City 's needs as well as the entire region of Campinas , another of the State's large city . Here IPE has undertaken projects related to water conservation that includes research, environmental education and sustainable alternatives that can increase the rural population's incomes .

In 2002, IPÊ began a project geared to women living in the Bairro Moinho (Windmill neighborhood) of Nazaré Paulista municipality. Project leaders promote workshops to teach women to sew 100% cotton handbags and T-shirts, embroidered and applied with the animals found regionally, many of which are being studied by IPÊ 's researchers. Additional designs include animal tacks and leaf patterns , created by stylists and other artists specifically for IPÊ . This has significantly increased monthly incomes of the women involved, and has decreased the emigration process that is a tendency of impoverished dwellers who seek better lives in urban settings.

Through the project, IPE's educators emphasize the seriousness of the region's environmental problems, with particular focus on soil conservation, the need to protect forests that still exist and encourage the planting of native tree species to recompose the overall scenario.