The mission of the Elm Fork Education Center is to develop and implement premiere environmental education programs. These programs will provide investigative encounters that engage students of all ages in field activities and discovery experiences. These opportunities are designed to encourage sound environmental decision making and responsible environmental stewardship.

Elm Fork Education Center is the public education branch of the University of North Texas's Environmental Programs which include Environmental Science, Environmental Ethics, Environmental and Community Journalism, Astronomy, Environmental Education, and the Department of Geography. Elm Fork Education Center (EFEC) is located in the Environmental Education, Science, and Technology Building (EESAT) which is a 117,000 square foot environmentally friendly facility.