Graduate from high school or get your GED. Studying specified fields like environmental management begins after primary education. Find a college or institution of higher education that advertises a degree in environmental management. Apply and be accepted to a program that is tailored to your needs as a student. If you wish to work in conservation, look for a degree that specializes in conservation studies.
Work through your classes at a pace that fits your lifestyle. If you are a single mother with a full-time day job, take night classes a few times a week. If you have more free time, take on a larger class load to get through your degree faster. It is more important to get good grades at a pace that's right for you than to speed through classes with a superficial understanding of the subject matter.
Graduate and apply to various environmental companies in your area. Many websites are dedicated to environmental jobs with search capabilities in your preferred field. Send your resume to for-pay and volunteer positions. As with any job, it may take a while as a volunteer or in an entry-level position before you find a paying career to suit your needs. Use your school's job placement information to find companies that are looking for students fresh out of school. Many companies need employees with information specific to a degree, so they give their name to the school to give to future graduates.