In short, metadata can be defined as data about data. Metadata is the key to documenting environmental datasets and in being able to provide access to them through the use of keyword searches. Within NOAA, metadata is an important activity which provides a vital link in providing access to environmental information. This paper will show relationship between metadata and NOAAServer, which is the centralized data access utility within NOAA; the various metadata formats in use; the benefits of having good metadata; some issues for better metadata processing within NOAA; and some near-term goals for NOAA metadata processing. The paper will also describe NOAA's relationship to other environmental metadata through such other entities as the Federal Geographic Data Committee and Global Change Master Directory.