The mission of the Auburn University Environmental Institute is to serve the state, nation, and global community by providing leadership and coherence in all university areas of environmental instruction, research, and extension/outreach. The goal of the Environmental Institute is to promote, coordinate, and implement multi-disciplinary programs and activities to meet the environmental needs of the University, state, and nation. There are several ways in which the Institute works to meet these goals.

By supporting and coordinating interdisciplinary teams, programs, or specialized centers, the Institute creates a new forum for environmental research and education. The associated faculty program promotes the work and research across many disciplines which may not ordinarily coordinate investigative efforts. The Institute also serves the faculty by increasing information and access to extramural funding, and developing proposals and other means for improving the quality of environmental education and research at Auburn University. The Institute serves as a source of information concerning funding, through public and private monies, of new and innovative research opportunities. It is additionally important to increase the effectiveness of Auburn University educational programs, curriculum, and professional opportunities for all students in all academic fields related to the environment, such as through lecture series and sponsored annual conferences.

Auburn University was established in 1856 as the land grant university in Alabama. For over 150 years, the efforts of all of the associated schools and colleges fulfill in some way, the mission of research, education and outreach which is the hallmark of a land grant institution. The Institute not only serves these points, but incorporates them in the mission of the organization. AUEI serves to educate the state through application of the most effective resources in the resolution of environmental issues and problems and by providing government and the public, primarily through extension and outreach. It is only a secondary benefit that through these actions that AUEI enhances the position of Auburn University and its faculty by developing and coordinating programs and projects that achieve national and international prominence with respect to environmental research, instruction, and extension/outreach.

Educating people about their natural and altered environment is the first step in bringing about any successful change. The teaching programs sponsored by the Institute promote interdisciplinary approaches to environmental education. Scholars in physical and social sciences actively seek the latest information, ideas, and innovations for the classroom, constantly adding revisions to instructional material to correspond with the latest findings in the field. New teaching curricula in environmentally related areas are also being promoted through the Institute. While building a solid core of understanding on environmental issues is crucial to students, so is creating educational programs to communicate environmental awareness to Alabama citizens. The Institute is committed to serving the educational needs at all levels of instruction.

The Environmental Institute is guided by a Director in conjunction with a nine-member administrative board representing a cross-section of the University's academic units. Representatives for physical and social sciences in instruction, research, and outreach have input into activities as they give leadership to the policies and directions of the Institute.

In making educated choices about the future good of Alabama's natural resources, linkages between the University and the public sector are crucial. By coordinating environmental workshops, seminars, and other educational programs for professionals, community leaders and other interested citizens, the Institute yet again fulfills the University land-grant commitment.

Research strengthens and informs educators at all levels, and in effect, sheds light on environmental issues that directly affect the quality of life in Alabama. Auburn University researchers provide a multifaceted approach to environmental problem solving. The Institute also exists to bring together faculty, government, and citizens of Alabama to develop, through open forums and conferences, acceptable and economically feasible means of tackling environmental topics.