Environmental education has become the focus of national attention. The vision statement for a recent national environmental conference included exploring ‘‘the role of education regarding one of the central issues of the 21st century—how to achieve a more sustainable relationship between people and the environment. The security of people and nations, economic opportunity and quality of human life depend upon the continued availability of a life-sustaining environment’’ ~‘‘Vision’’ 2002!. Some of the university level topics explored at this conference included curricular needs for environmental sciences and environmental studies degree programs, integrating human health and environmental education, and transforming education at business schools. There appeared to be very little emphasis placed on the role of environmental engineering in the collegiate environmental education curriculum. As environmental engineers, we need to make sure that we are included in this national agenda. Why is it important to include engineering in this vast interdisciplinary grouping of knowledge? It is important because one of the goals of environmental education is ensuring that people continue to have a life-sustaining environment available to them. Engineering is part of the process in effecting this. In 1949, Merriam-Webster, Inc. ~then known as G & C Merriam Co.! defined ‘‘environment’’ and ‘‘engineering’’ in Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary ~1949! as en•vi’ron•ment...n...2. That which environs; surroundings; specific, the aggregate of all the external conditions and influences affecting the life and development of an organism, etc., human behavior, society, etc.-en•vi’ron•men’tal,adj.... en’gi•neer’ing...n... 1. Originally the art of managing engines. 2. Applied science concerned with utilizing inorganic products of earth, properties of matter, sources of power in nature, and physical forces for supplying human needs in the form of structures, machines, manufactured products, precision instruments, industrial organization, the means of lighting, heating, refrigeration, communication, transportation, sanitation, and public safety, and other productive work... Almost a half century later, these definitions have become slightly more concise in the 1996 edition of Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary ~1996! en•vi•ron•ment...n. 1. Surroundings. 2. The combination of external physical conditions affecting the growth and development of organisms.--en•vi’ron•men’tal adj.... en•gi•neer•ing...n. 1. The application of scientific principles to practical ends. 2. The design and construction of large-scale or complex structures such as bridges, roads, and tunnels.