The Maurício Dantas Private Natural Heritage Ecological Reserve (RPPN) is divided between municipalities of Betânia and Floresta, Pernambuco, about 415 kilometres (258 mi) from the state capital, Recife.

[3] The Maurício Dantas Private Natural Heritage Ecological Reserve was created by ordnance 104/97-N of 12 September 1997.

The land is permanently protected, but the owners may use it for ecotourism, leisure, recreation and environmental education.

A study between 2001 and 2006 found that most species of plant had fairly stable populations, but some increased or decreased considerably, perhaps due to continued recovery from the clear cutting.

[6] Fauna include tamandua, seriema, rock cavy, guan, collared peccary, fox and possibly jaguar.