The lagoon is currently undergoing a major environmental protection program to restore the lakes by removing waste, as well as forming new banks of land, and planting trees and shrubs. The project also encompasses Canal da Joatinga (Joatinga Canal) and the lakes of Tijuca, Camorim and Jacarepaguá..

The Centro de Referência em Educação Ambiental (Centre for Environmental Education), situated in the park, studies, protects and looks after the landscape and ecosystem of the lagoon.

The center has developed a number of ecotourism activities for visitors, including guided tours of the trails in the park, art and recycling workshops, as well as exhibitions and film screenings. They also run a library containing books, maps, videos and CDs about the environment.