<p>This research delves into the critical role of forest guards in safeguarding the forest ecosystems. Amid escalating deforestation rates and environmental degradation, understanding the environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of forest guards becomes paramount. Employing a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) model and the New Environmental Paradigm, the study explores forest guards’ intentions toward adopting environmentally friendly behaviors. A correlational research design was adopted, with data collected from 75 forest guards using a structured questionnaire. Results from hierarchical multiple regression revealed that both environmental knowledge and attitudes significantly predicted forest guards’ environmental behaviors. Structural equation modeling further validated the Attitude-Knowledge-Practice (AKP) path as the preferred model, suggesting that forest guards’ behavioral change sequences are driven by their affinity towards the forest. These findings underscore the pivotal role of enhancing environmental literacy among forest guards to foster better conservation practices and sustainable forest management in Edo State.</p>