The paper focuses on the environment as a socio-cultural phenomenon. The emphasis is made on identifying environmental trends. The study of the environment in this paradigm allows us to rethink the phenomenon axiologically, which changes the attitude towards the environment, sometimes in a radical way. The main research methods were the analysis of secondary data of applied research and an expert survey of specialists from three bordering states – Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. These methods ensure the full implementation of the research purpose. The following provisions present the main results: (1) the environment is perceived as a universal and regional value affecting the spiritual life of a person and society and ensuring their spiritual security; (2) management decisions in the environment should be associated with the understanding of this phenomenon as a socio-cultural one, which increases the degree of responsibility and importance of the environment for the continuity of generations of cultural carriers. The study justifies the need for a paradigm change in understanding the environment as a socio-cultural phenomenon.