More than 3,200 teenagers from all over the country took part in the All–Russian eco-lesson, organized as part of the International Rosprirodnadzor Award "Ecology is everyone's Business" together with the Russian Football Union, said Svetlana Radionova, head of the Service. The event was timed to coincide with the Day of the Environmentalist. 200 athletes of the Youth Football League attended the eco-lesson in Moscow, and more than 3,000 young football players from different Russian regions joined the lecture online. A special guest of the meeting was the idol of youth, singer of the hit "Sigma Boy" Maria Yankovskaya.

Svetlana Radionova, Head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources Management, and Alexey Smertin, a legendary Russian football player and head of the Russian Federation's Department for Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility, met with young athletes from Moscow and the Moscow Region. The All-Russian eco-tour for Youth League football players was held in the form of a lecture and live communication, when the guys were able to ask their questions about nature protection and ecology.

"This is not our first joint project with the Russian Football Union. I am very grateful to our partners who are engaged not only in the popularization of sports, but also actively support the Ecology is Everyone's Business award. And it is very pleasant that the guys who are passionate about football are interested in nature protection issues, they are not strangers to environmental problems. Some of them are multiple participants of our award. And I am sure that no matter who they become in the future – famous football players, coaches or successful people in other fields – they will always take care of the world in which they live," said Svetlana Radionova, head of Rosprirodnadzor.

Svetlana Radionova, the country's chief ecologist, noted that the young football players asked very serious questions about the environmental situation in the country, about endangered species of animals and the help they need from humans, about how to become participants and volunteers of the International Children's and Youth Award "Ecology is everyone's Business", and also shared their eco-habits and ideas for fighting for a clean planet. Active participants of the eco-lesson proposed to hold a football tournament dedicated to environmental protection in the future.

"Millions of boys and girls in Russia play football. Many of them are professionally engaged. The Youth Football League unites clubs all over the country, and the boys in their regions achieve not only success in sports, but also do everything in their power for the health and prosperity of their native land. Urban or protected areas are being cleaned, trees are being planted, and bird feeders are being placed. We instill in them important life values and care for nature. "Ecology is everyone's business" is the name of the Rosprirodnadzor award, and it very accurately reflects the duty of every person," said Alexey Smertin, member of the Ecology is Everyone's Business award jury, Head of the Department of Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility of the Russian Federation.

Many young football players of the Youth League have already achieved recognition and fame in the Russian regions. They are opinion leaders, and their peers look up to them. Athletes try to popularize the topic of ecology, so that respect for nature is the norm in a youthful environment. Maria Yankovskaya, a popular Russian singer and performer of the hit Sigma Boy, actively supports the Rosprirodnadzor award "Ecology is Everyone's Business". At a meeting with the football players, the young artist said that generation Z is very conscious about the use of natural resources. In order for this to really become tangible, ecological culture must be shown by example.

"It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, you can be an example to others. I am a creative person, I give emotions to people and I believe that everyone can be useful. As my song says: Dream, don't be afraid! Dreams come true! I know for sure, if you want, everything will work out!" – Maria Yankovskaya addressed the participants of the meeting.

The All-Russian eco-lesson ended with an exciting quiz and the awarding of the winning team.

The international Ecology is Everyone's Business Award was established by Rosprirodnadzor on March 31, 2021 and is designed to instill environmental habits in both children and adults. The award is held annually and is awarded for interesting ideas, initiatives and projects dedicated to environmental conservation. All regions of Russia and over 80 countries from five continents are participating in the project. The winners and prize-winners of the award have the opportunity to receive not only memorable gifts, but also preferences in the best 150 universities of the country.