"Dryland Chaampions" is a programme designed to honor a wide-range of activities that make a practical contribution to sustainable land management (SLM) practices.
January 2013: The UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has issued a call for “Dryland Champions,” which is a program designed to honor activities by individuals, organizations and businesses making a practical contribution to sustainable land management (SLM) practices.
The program will recognize a wide range of activities including efforts to protect productive lands by preventing soil degradation, the restoration of degraded lands via SLM, the creation of an enabling environment for land management, awareness raising and educational endeavors, as well as actions to support alternative livelihoods in dryland ecosystems.
The programme is focused on the commitment to improving the livelihoods of populations and the conditions of ecosystems affected by desertification and drought. It is open to individuals of all ages, including youth, as well as schools, businesses, NGOs and community groups. [UNCCD News]