The understanding of the meaning of ecological care for health students and educators and how this issue is addressed in health courses in a public institution in southern Brazil. Our goal is to discuss the central category. The methodology adopted was the Grounded Theory. Ten interviews were carried out among two sample groups between September 2008 and April 2009. The results led to the design of the theory in which ecological care is a phenomenon broad and complex. The core category: the eco-care as a result of relationships, interactions and associations within the global environment. To reject anthropocentrism is not enough for the survival of the all forms of life on the planet. It demands training on ecology centrism and on systemic-functional interactivity and adaptability. We must go beyond speeches and world conferences and redo the web of interdependence of all beings and elements of nature.
Sustainable development; Ecology; Human resources formation; Environment; Nature; Interpersonal relations
