This symposium will develop a view of ecological literacy rooted in the discipline of ecology, placing it in its historical and intellectual contexts within and beyond the discipline. A synthesis of the intellectual tools from ecology needed by every citizen, and the essential pathways for attaining these tools, will be presented, building on responses from the ESA membership and others to the recent survey on ecological literacy. Leading science and environmental educators will explore the challenges and opportunities for fostering ecological literacy in all students and the general public via these two components of the education system. Finally, two forward-looking thinkers will elaborate on the vital role that universal ecological literacy must play in enabling society to develop innovative solutions to environmental needs and challenges, and enable us to converse with each other across the full spectrum of the human family about environmental and human well-being. The symposium culminates a process that began in 2006 to focus the ESA community on universal ecological literacy. The 2006 workshop on public understanding of ecology, led by Rebecca Jordon, and the 2007 Vice Presidents’ Summit on ecological literacy engaged many members. Over 1,000 members responded to the online survey on ecological literacy this summer. A group of ESA leaders will be working with the results of this survey to develop an ESA Policy Statement on Ecological Literacy, garnering input from scientists and educators from other disciplines, as well (e.g., environmental and science education, environmental philosophy and ethics). Presentation and consideration of the implications of this statement will be a primary goal of the symposium.