The finalists for the 2014 Land for Life Award have been announced, including organizations working to promote agroforestry in both Pakistan and Nicaragua.

The awards have been presented each year since 2011 by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). They recognize efforts that promote the natural health and productivity of the earth's soils, in particular initiatives that provide sustainability and improve the livelihoods of some of the poorest communities in the world.

This year, the Society for Conservation and Protection of Environment (SCOPE) in Pakistan has been nominated for its work in improving food security and nutrition in drought-prone areas through agroforestry, rainwater harvesting and rangeland management.

Another nominee, the Canadian organization, Taking Root, is helping create markets for agroforestry produce in Nicaragua. Their work is aimed at providing incentives for smallholder farmers across landscapes to grow trees on their farms, not just for products but also environmental services.

The winners of the Land for Life award will be announced on 17 June – the World Day to Combat Desertification – and share in a prize fund of up to US $100,000

Read the media release on Noodls: Fourteen Semi-Finalists of the Land for Life Award Announced

For more information on the awards, visit: http://www.unccd.int/en/programmes/Event-and-campaigns/LandForLife/Pages/default.aspx