Unsustainable agricultural practices remain one of the greatest threats to ecosystems and biodiversity. As the global population grows, so too does the demand for food – requiring production increases and potentially even greater impacts on the environment. Widespread land use and agricultural practices must change to reduce these losses. Yet, behavior change in this field is often inhibited by lack of awareness of solutions and of biodiversity’s value for the agricultural sector.
Solution Search prepares to launch a competition and address another critical conservation challenge. The contest assembles partners, judges and other key stakeholders as it nears entry opening.
Unsustainable agricultural practices remain one of the greatest threats to ecosystems and biodiversity. As the global population grows, so too does the demand for food – requiring production increases and potentially even greater impacts on the environment. Widespread land use and agricultural practices must change to reduce these losses. Yet, behavior change in this field is often inhibited by lack of awareness of solutions and of biodiversity’s value for the agricultural sector.
Solution Search prepares to launch a competition and address another critical conservation challenge. The contest assembles partners, judges and other key stakeholders as it nears entry opening.
Organizations enter a contest showcasing their solution to the given challenge. Entrants provide critical information about their proven successes and how that approach has impacted environmental, social and economic outcomes.
Solution Search Contest on Farming for Biodiversity
Solution Search: Farming for Biodiversity is looking to identify and reward the most promising approaches to conserving biodiversity on agricultural lands.
Different from many other contests, Solution Search takes a long-term view and not only support projects through considerable prize money (150.000 total across categories) but capacity building through technical and campaigning workshops. After these workshops, the most promising campaigns will be selected for longer-term support to bring the brightest ideas to scale. Rare is partnering with IFOAM on the technical side and Rare will lead with its expertise on environmental communication at the grassroots level.
Examples of potential entries include:
- Sustainable land use management that integrates the consideration of biodiversity and ecosystems
- Alternative pest control practices that reduce toxic run-off into local water sources
- Organic farming methods that increase soil biodiversity (or other species)
- Livestock control measures that protect local flora and fauna
- Innovative approaches that reduce human-animal conflicts in agricultural zones
If you know of someone doing great work, you could win too – submit a nomination to be eligible for the $1,000 nomination prize.
The grand prize
The grand prize winner will receive $30,000, and there will be four category prizes of $15,000. There will be an early entrant prize of $5,000 to the best entry received by February 10, 2017. All prize money must be used to further the winner’s solution and organization’s goals. All finalists will win a trip to New York City to attend a capacity-building workshop and awards ceremony alongside some of the biggest names in conservation and development.
You can nominate an idea or submit your own before 10 March 2017.
Picture credit: Solution search