On its website, the organization says that "SEJ’s mission is to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance public understanding of environmental issues.

], SEJ's membership includes more than 1,500 journalists and academics working in every type of news media in the United States, Canada, Mexico and 27 other countries.

SEJ operating and project budgets are underwritten through a combination of foundation grants based on SEJ proposals (emphasis on general, unrestricted support), university sponsorships of the annual conference, media company contributions, earned income from dues and fees for services (including exhibits, ad space and single use rental of the mail list/email distribution listserv) and earnings from individual gifts to the endowment fund.

SEJ offers educational programs and services for working journalists, educators, and students, including annual and regional conferences; a daily EJToday news service; a quarterly SEJournal; a biweekly TipSheet and other publications; the FOI WatchDog project; the SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment; members-only listservs; a mentoring program; website-based resources; and a lively membership network of journalists and academics.

[4] Objectivity as Independence: Creating the Society of Environmental Journalists, 1989–1997, by John Palen, provides an in-depth look at SEJ's creation and the philosophy of its founders.