These centres serve students and schools in a variety of ways:
- They provide fieldwork experiences for students K-12, in support of all key learning areas.
- They liaise with government and non-government agencies to develop programs involving schools and local communities.
- They provide advice and assistance to schools in setting up environmental education projects.
- They develop trainingand development courses for teachers and school communities.
- They develop materials and programs that have application both on and off the centre sites.
- They help school communities incorporate the Environmental Education Policy for Schools into their programming and management practices.
- They visit schools to assist teachers with classroom activities relating to environmental education.
- They advise school communities about using their local area for fieldwork venues.
- They assist schools to develop their school grounds for educational purposes.
- They inform school communities about particular environmental programs and activities, such as Landcare, Streamwatch or Learnscapes.
- They assist schools in the organisation of special environmental events.
- They provide training and input to teacher training institutions with regard to environmental education.
- They provide a focus for community education in environmental issues.