Rural communities in Egypt face escalating challenges of environmental degradation and declining environmental consciousness, which adversely impact quality of life and sustainable development. Recognizing environmental awareness as a cornerstone for fostering pro-environmental behavior, this study aimed to assess the levels of awareness and prevailing environmental practices among rural residents in the Fayoum and Itsa districts of Fayoum Governorate. The research also sought to identify the socioeconomic factors influencing these behaviors and to examine the relationship between awareness and practice. Employing a descriptive survey methodology, data were collected from a field-based sample of rural households using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients. The findings revealed a moderate overall level of environmental awareness among respondents, with a significant disparity favoring the Fayoum district. Correspondingly, pro-environmental behaviors were more prevalent in Fayoum, whereas negative practices were more common in Itsa. Statistically significant correlations were found between environmental awareness and key independent variables, including educational level, occupation, and landholding size. Crucially, the study confirms the direct, positive influence of awareness on pro-environmental behavior, highlighting its role in mitigating harmful practices. These results underscore the imperative to invest in targeted environmental education and agricultural extension programs as effective mechanisms for driving behavioral change and advancing sustainability in rural contexts.

Keywords: Environmental Awareness - Rural Practices - Environmental Behavior Environmental Sustainability - Environmental Extension