SAEREC was conceived in 2007 by the Chairs of the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geology, and Geography and Planning with the goal of stimulating synergistic research activities within the sciences at Appalachian State. Shortly afterward, rapidly developing interest arose within the university's administration and faculty for broader research collaboration across campus, and SAEREC became a constituent center of the newly formed Research Institute for Environment, Research and Economics (RIEEE).
The first organized research group within SAEREC was AppalAIR, which is a successful interdisciplinary atmospheric research initiative. Soon following was APPAqua, with the goal of understanding hydrology and water quality in streams of the southern Appalachians. In collaboration with the RIEEE and other affiliated centers, SAEREC continues to organize other research "clusters", defined as groups of faculty who share particular interests in environmental research and who may work together to develop new research programs that address the mission and goals of SAEREC.
In addition to AppalAir and APPAqua, newer research clusters focus on earth system science, conservation ecology, environmental health and environmental education.