The **Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon**, located in the South Zone of **Rio de Janeiro**, is one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Carioca city. But now, besides being a recreational and tourist destination, it is heading towards becoming a [**refuge for wild birds**](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/el-parque-patagonia-un-refugio-lleno-de-vida-y-color-que-lo-vuelve-un-lugar-ideal-para-la-fauna-nativa/) thanks to an **ecological restoration project** led by biologist **Mario Moscatelli**.
The Brazilian expert installed **two artificial floating islands covered with native vegetation**, with the aim of **attracting bird species absent from the lagoon ecosystem**. The structures, made with **creeping plants and grasses**, act as a **floating habitat**, providing food, nesting sites, and shelter for various animals.
## Urban Restoration through Floating Microhabitats
This project is based on Moscatelli’s **over three decades of work in the surrounding mangroves**, which play a crucial role in protecting the lagoon shores.
The floating islands represent a way to **renaturalize the urban landscape**, allowing the **creation of ecological microhabitats** amidst the metropolitan fabric.
## Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon: a natural and recreational icon of Rio
Surrounded by the neighborhoods of **Lagoa, Ipanema, Leblon, Gávea, and Jardim Botânico**, the lagoon is a focal point for [**outdoor life in the city**](https://noticiasambientales.com/turismo/el-rosedal-secreto-de-buenos-aires-una-joya-escondida-con-mas-de-3600-rosales/).
Highlighted features:
– **Strategic location**, framed by hills like Corcovado and the Tijuca National Park.
– **Connected to the Atlantic Ocean** through the Jardim de Alah channel.
– Surface area of approximately **4 km²**, although smaller than its original extension.
– Favorite spot for activities such as **rowing, cycling, hiking, and boating**.
– Environment with **trails, kiosks, restaurants, and coastal vegetation**.
## A step towards urban ecological restoration
The initiative aims not only to enrich the **biodiversity of the lagoon** but also to raise awareness about the possibility of reintroducing functional nature in large cities.
By promoting the **return of wild birds** and supporting other forms of aquatic life, the floating islands could become a **replicable model for the restoration of urban water bodies in Brazil and around the world**.
