This Center will be established to protect and conserve biodiversity through research, education, training and community extension work. Specifically, it aims to:
- conduct research with emphasis on;
- systematics and ecology
- conservation and protection of endangered, endemic wildlife species and habitats
- biodiversity surveys and inventories of poorly-known and biologically important areas
- correlation of habitat destruction and biodiversity
- plant-animal interactions
- tissue and spore culture
- indigenous food and medicinal plants
- wildlife rescue and refuge centers in critical areas
- socio-economic bases of environmental degradation
- environmental impact assessment and indigenous Knowledge System
- ethnobotany and indigenous Knowledge System
- forest dynamics
- upgrade and maintain facilities for the conservation and research on flora and fauna;
- upgrade and manage a Zoological and Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum for biodiversity studies and public education and awareness;
- formulate appropriate measures in the conservation of flora and fauna in Mindanao;
- provide computerized database on species and ecosystem diversity;
- spearhead in proposal preparation and assist in fund sourcing for biodiversity and conservation researches in Mindanao;
- establish a seed bank for endangered, endemic and lesser known crops;
- train and develop personnel of SUC’s, GO’s, NGO’s, local people, and other organizations on how to conduct research, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;
- conduct seminar-workshop for upon request from barangays and other clientele
- prepare instructional materials on biodiversity and conservation techniques;
- promote and encourage understanding on the importance of the conservation of biological diversity as well as its propagation through media, educational and public awareness programs;
- solicit community support for conservation through environmental awareness and education campaign projects;
- establish linkage and collaborate with international, national, and local institutions concerned with long-term ecological and biodiversity studies;
- seek support and assistance from local and foreign funding institutions towards the development of institutional self-sufficiency; and recommend policy measures regarding the conservation and protection of biodiversity.