Wildlife Federation loves great I.D.E.A.S.

When former UCF students Hank Harding and Chris Castro started Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions in June 2008, the organization was not even recognized by UCF as a registered student organization.

Now, three years, 10 new chapters throughout college campuses in America and countless awards later, the Florida Wildlife Federation has recognized I.D.E.A.S. as Conservation Organization of the Year.

"They've done a lot in Central Florida to bring in students and get them involved in environmental causes," said Diane Hines, vice president of Administration at the Florida Wildlife Federation. "And also to bring an awareness to the environment and some of the concerns. They've not only done hand-on projects that have benefited the local environment, but they have brought more students into the conservation movement."

Members of I.D.E.A.S. have distinguished themselves from other Florida institutions by going out and cleaning the environment, as well as educating students on the importance of leading an environmentally conscious lifestyle.

"Our main mission is to educate, empower and engage students and community members in environmental sustainability," said Samantha Ruiz, co-president of I.D.E.A.S. and senior legal studies major. "We mainly do that through three ways: research, action and awareness. Usually students participate in something that draws them to our organization. A really great way to look at it is almost like an umbrella, and we provide the resources for students to involve what they're doing, with a sustainable twist."

Laurent Saint-Louis, senior health sciences major, recently started a program through I.D.E.A.S. that merges sustainability and living a healthy lifestyle called Healthy IDEAS. Saint-Louis said Healthy IDEAS teaches students about the importance of incorporating organic foods into their diet, avoiding processed foods, supporting local farmers and being sure to remain physically active.

"You want to eat healthy food because it's good for your body, but you should also be buying from local places because it's good for the environment," Ruiz said. "You can ride your bike because it's healthy for you, but you're also saving CO2, as well. It kind of shows how the environment and people are connected; positive changes for yourself are positive changes for the environment."

I.D.E.A.S. routinely picks up trash around the UCF campus and cleans both local retention ponds and Orlando's surrounding beaches. In addition, they hold a monthly bike rally to promote alternative forms of transportation that would reduce one's carbon footprint.

According to Hines, what sets I.D.E.A.S. apart is their relentless pursuit for environmental protection and conservation.

"They don't just do things like beach clean-ups, they do a lot more," Hines said. "They've been at the federal level, they've got to Washington, they've done several things with national events, they've visited congressman, they've done it all; they're involved on all levels. They want to reach out and have people feel that they are involved and invited."

Sebastian Church, co-president of I.D.E.A.S. and senior English literature major, believes the organization's strength is rooted in its diversity of members and its openness to accept input from numerous sources.

"It's one of those organizations that are completely organic," Church said. "This thing, it's alive. We're constantly changing, we're constantly redefining our roles, we're constantly rediscovering how the organization is operating. As people come and go with this organization, it changes; and it changes with the people."

According to Ruiz, environmental consciousness is not just a passing fad or just another thing for college kids to rally behind, it's something that needs to be incorporated into the lives of every single human being.

"It's not only something that is important for our youth, it's important for everybody right now, because we are living in a very critical time where core values and morals have shifted in the political scheme of things," Ruiz said.

"Rather than being dictated by people in power, I really want to emphasize how important it is for people to realize the potential that they hold. This movement is the perfect outlet for people to really stand up for the things that are right, and the things that are just, and the things that we should be entitled to, like clean air and clean water. It's not something that we should be taking so lightly."