In 1994, ERIM, in consultation with an international advisory committee, elected to foster the establishment of an independent, non-profit corporation for the specific purpose of convening a symposium on remote sensing every two years. In 1995, the International Symposia on Remote Sensing of Environment was incorporated. William Brown, Robert Miller, and Jim Weber were named Directors of ISRSE. Jim Weber was named President and CEO of the corporation.

In August of 1998, the International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment was renamed the International Center for Remote Sensing of Environment (ICRSE) to reflect the Center's involvement in other remote sensing activities outside the Symposium. Timothy Foresman was elected to the Board of Directors of ICRSE. The Center then located on the University of Maryland Baltimore County south campus. The Center, under direction from the Board of Directors, continues as the legal entity of the corporation, responsible and liable for all activities carried out by the corporation.

The Symposia series continues to be guided by an international executive committee comprised of experts in the field of remote sensing who represent most of the world's national space agencies. In January of 2000, the Center signed a Letter of Intent with the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) to strengthen cooperation and coordination. In July of 2000, the General Assembly of ISPRS approved the installation of the executive committee as the International Committee on Remote Sensing of Environment (ICORSE) of ISPRS. In addition to its role in providing policy and programmatic guidance to ISRSE, ICORSE will serve as a standing advisory committee to the ISPRS Council. Alexander Tuyahov serves as Chairman of ICORSE.

In October 2000, Charles Hutchinson was elected to the Board of Directors and was appointed President and CEO of ICRSE. Jim Weber was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. The office of operations for the Center and the Symposium was moved to Tucson, Arizona.