NEERS is a non-profit organization with a wide ranging membership from scientific and educational institutions, federal, state, and municipal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The purpose of the society is to bring together persons actively engaged in estuarine and coastal research and management for informal discussion and exchange of ideas.

NEERS meets in the spring of every year and in the fall of even years. Meetings usually begin with a special symposium to focus upon issues of a topical or regional nature. This is followed by 1-1/2 days of regular sessions. 

NEERS supports today's students in many ways, recognizing that they are tomorrow's estuarine scientists and managers.