he National Science Foundation is very much aware of the importance of a sound environment to the United States and to the world. The Foundation is committed to environmental research and education in all areas of science and engineering, and is eager to expand its role in a manner consistent with overall national goals and with its mission and strategic plan.

NSF has, for many years, recognized the need for a robust and dependable scientific and engineering research base, on which to make decisions about environmental policy and regulation. Similarly, the needs for reliable assessment of this research, education of the public about environmental issues, and dissemination of environmental information are critically important now and will be in the future. NSF plays an important role in all of these activities and has recently defined a new theme: Biocomplexity in the Environment. The title reflects the evolution of NSF thinking about how activities in this area can take advantage of opportunities provided by recent advances in science and engineering and best contribute to the overall program of Federal activities related to the environment. It incorporates and provides a broader context for the earlier suite of activities entitled Life and Earth's Environment (LEE).

The Task Force has noted that the NSB resolution (NSB-98-65) provides a basis for a more detailed examination of the role of NSF in environmental areas now and in the future, including the need for additional resources to address environmental challenges.

The Task Force carried out four parallel activities to meet the objectives of hearing from multiple invested communities and gathering information to inform its deliberations. First, consideration of recommendations from a group of over 200 reports and policy documents concerning scientific and engineering aspects of environmental research, education and scientific assessment. Second, input and feedback from invested communities through a public hearing, a National Science Board symposium, and a public town hall meeting. Third, this web site, launched to communicate the activities of the Task Force and provide a vehicle for public input and electronic registry of comments. And fourth, review of NSF's current portfolio of environmental activities.