Consciousness - is the highest form inherent to man, of the reflection of objective reality, the way of his relationship to the world and to self, mediated of universal forms of social and historical activity. In turn, environmental awareness - is a form of social consciousness, which is in the stage of formation, which includes a set of ideas, theories, opinions, motivations, reflecting the environmental aspects of social life, namely the practice of the relationship between man and nature, including regulatory principles and standards, aimed at achieving an optimal state of the "society-nature" system.

The becoming of environmental consciousness is characterized by such features as a global rethinking of the basic philosophical issues and problems, reliance on science and the connection between science and human values, the ability to rise above one’s own interests for the interests of the broader social strata, the desire to act in the name of conservation, saving lives on the planet.

The formation of ecological consciousness directs in four areas: scientific, economic, cultural (expressed in the desire to preserve nature as part of the cultural heritage) and political (the creation of conditions for the harmonious existence of man).

The content of environmental awareness is revealed through such concepts as environmental attitudes and environmental action. The ecological relationships include various kinds of empirical knowledge, attitudes and traditions of many cultures, while environmental actions include a system of regulatory principles of moral character.

For the formation of a favorable eco-consciousness requires appropriate laws, public opinion, and environmental upbringing and education from childhood years.

The main function of environmental awareness is regulatory. It manifests itself in the regulation of human activity, from the regulatory incentive to value-oriented.

Environmental education - is a continuous learning process, aimed at assimilation, systematization of knowledge about the environment, the acquisition of skills of conservation and development of a common environmental culture.

* Bio-ecology (biological and environmental departments)

* Geo-ecology (geographical and geological departments)

* Chemical Ecology (chemistry faculties)

* Technological Education (conversation faculties and departments)

* Socio-economic environmental education (sociology and departments of economics)

The system of continuous environmental education, in the context of the current state policy in the field of environmental education, is a set of successive environmental education programs that meet state educational standards and implementing educational institutions, regardless of their organizational and legal forms.

Informational ecological educational space of Russia includes protected areas, historical and cultural complexes, anthropogenic landscapes, production and services (spheres of science, culture, art, sports, tourism), and other spheres of human activity serving as objectives of formation of the ecological culture.

Ecological Culture – is an inherited experience of human life and its interactions with the environment, contributing to a healthy lifestyle, sustainable socio-economic development, and environmental security of the country and of each person.

Important features of environmental education are - openness, multi-dimension and focus on continuous creative research, presented by an objective picture of the universe.

* Mastering the idea of nature conservation and protection

* Get a professional and specialized knowledge

“Greening Education” - is a large-scale infiltration of ideas, concepts, principles, and approaches of ecology in the structure of training of the specialists of various profiles, leading, ultimately, to the formation of environmental values.