Organized in 2004, SRHCES promotes collaborative research, provides environmental education, improves water quality, and addresses other environmental concerns. Also, a subgroup, the Susquehanna Heartland Humanities Council, provides an open forum for colleges and universities to partner with environmental, community and regional interest groups to document, preserve, present and share the cultural heritage and expressions of human life in region. The Humanities Council's initiatives range from documenting and electronically disseminating the history of River towns to local Underground Railroad involvement.
Partner education institutions include Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bucknell University, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Kings College, Lycoming College, Penn State, and Susquehanna University. Other participating institutions include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Geisinger Health System, the NorthCentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Sunbury Broadcasting, and Trout Unlimited.