The reserve, which covers 5,052 hectares (12,480 acres) in the Atlantic Forest biome, was created on 11 March 1974.

The São João River defines the boundary of the reserve, which is laced with small springs, channels and streams.

[4] Migratory bird species include swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus), plumbeous kite (Ictinia plumbea), blue ground dove (Claravis pretiosa), dark-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus), white-collared swift (Streptoprocne zonaris), Sick's swift (Chaetura meridionalis), black jacobin (Florisuga fusca), black-throated mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis), white-rumped monjita (Xolmis velatus), yellow-browed tyrant (Satrapa icterophrys), rusty-margined flycatcher (Myiozetetes cayanensis), streaked flycatcher (Myiodynastes maculatus), piratic flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius), fork-tailed flycatcher (Tyrannus savana), white-winged becard (Pachyramphus polychopterus), red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), lined seedeater (Sporophila lineola) and sooty grassquit (Tiaris fuliginosus).

The purpose is to fully preserve the biota and other natural attributes without direct human interference.

[2] Protected species include the white-necked hawk (Buteogallus lacernulatus), maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus), maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), purple-winged ground dove (Claravis geoffroyi), golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), the catfish Microcambeva barbata, the butterflies Mimoides lysithous and Parides ascanius, and Salvadori's antwren (Myrmotherula minor).