The article describes the development of the Faculty of geography and geology and geography Research Institute of the State University in the early 2000 's. prior to the formation of the Institute of Earth Sciences at St. Petersburg State University (Spbsu INZ). It discusses the problem of geographical and environmental education in the period of higher education reform in Europe and Russia and the current problems of the establishment of the Institute of Earth Sciences at St. Petersburg State University. Refs. 14. Keywords: Faculty of geography and geology SPbSU, Institute of geography, Institute of Earth Sciences SPbSU, the problems of education, science and management, growth problem, the problem of identity, the problem of increasing the role of creativity, problems of students in graduate and doctoral, the problem of strengthening the role of scientific leaders.