NERN is not a society, association or club and thus does not have members. It is a network of which all people working in the field of ecology and evolution in the Netherlands can be part. Formally, the network is supported and driven by a collaboration of graduate schools, research institutes, and universities that are significantly involved in fundamental research on ecology, evolution, and biodiversity (see Affiliated Groups). 

The decision centre of NERN is the NERN Board, which is composed of representatives of the Dutch institutes working substantially in the field of ecology, evolution and biodiversity. The Board meets four times a year, once during the Netherlands Annual Ecology Meeting (half February), once during the annual Current Themes in Ecology symposium (late November), once in late May and once in early September. When required, ad-hoc meetings can occur.