Early in 1981 the chief executives of ten major environmental and conservation organizations began meeting for the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of their organizations in helping to protect the nation's environmental quality. This agenda represents 4 years of work by these and other individuals, and it attempts to collectively reflect the thoughts and concerns of various experts called upon by the core group. It also drew on ideas generated at nine regional conferences held around the nation during that same time period. The Environmental Agenda for the Future is organized around 11 major subject areas. These include: (1) nuclear issues; (2) human population growth; (3) energy strategies; (4) water resources; (5) toxics and pollution control; (6) wild living resources; (7) private lands and agriculture; (8) protected land systems; (9) public lands; (10) urban environments; and (11) international responsibilities. An introductory chapter presents a summation of the expected environmental problems of the future, a discussion of the link between environmental factors and the economy, and some anticipated benefits of managing our natural resources and providing environmental protection. A seven-page bibliography provides some recommended resources for each of the 11 areas addressed in the report. (TW)