Each site is the hub of regular forays into local environments to make observations of habitat and wildlife, providing monitoring and research data that is the focus of the Centre's existence. Interpretations of the data can be displayed within the Centre, providing a learning resource for local residents and tourists alike, and stimulating the local population to contribute their own observations to the knowledge gathered at the Centre.
As all the Field Centres will have joint interests and responsibilities (operational standards, volunteers, management practices) there will be regular contact and exchange of experiences. Inter-calibration exercises will be part of this connectivity, ensuring maintained quality of measurements.
As well as being a source of data, each site will provide a resource for visiting scientists from government and academic institutions - accommodation, access and local expertise are all marketable commodities. Samples routinely collected at the Field Centres may be analysed by Government or University laboratories participating in the CeCoCo scheme.
The constantly renewing lifeblood flowing through the web is the Volunteer chain, providing energy (hands, money, enthusiasm) and linkages to other sites and other lifestyles.The Centres can also help foster existing and new economic activities engaged by local people, increasing earning potential and providing alternatives for non-sustainable local activities. See the 'Support for local Communities' pages.