The mission of the Center for Aquatic Ecology and Conservation is to conduct basic and applied research investigating all aspects of the biology of the flora and fauna associated with aquatic ecosystems. The Natural History Survey has employed respected and competent aquatic researchers since its inception under the direction of Stephen A. Forbes. The present Center staff is composed of nationally and internationally recognized scientists working in concert with a talented and dedicated support staff.

The Center for Aquatic Ecology maintains eight field stations: the Aquatic Research Field Laboratory in Champaign, the Sam Parr Biological Station at Kinmundy, the Ridge Lake Station near Charleston, the Lake Michigan Biological Station at Zion, the Kaskaskia Biological Station on Lake Shelbyville, the Illinois River Biological Station in Havana, and the Great Rivers Research Station at Alton. This important system of field stations allows Center scientists to conduct valuable field research on site.