Department of Forestry and Range Resources

11/06/2026

Botswana Desertification and Drought Day 2026.



Botswana will be at Foley to Commemorate Desertification and Drought Day.
Foley Village was purposely selected due to its severe ecological vulnerabilities. The area's vital mophane woodland is currently undergoing aggressive land degradation. This is driven by an influx of commercial firewood dealers, the massive cutting down of live trees, illegal veld product harvesting (phane and mogwana), and overgrazing. Left unchecked, this environmental pressure will permanently compromise local agricultural productivity and exacerbate rural poverty.
The Field Day format is designed to deliver immediate, community-driven solutions. Technical facilitators will conduct live, hands-on demonstrations focusing on:
• Fuelwood Alternatives: Showcasing efficient rocket stoves, solar cookers, and alternative biomass briquettes to curb live deforestation.
• Pasture Rehabilitation: Demonstrating simple soil erosion interventions (brush-packing and stone bunds) and rotational grazing principles.
• Youth Outreach: Running a targeted school outreach program in surrounding Tonota schools from 10 to 12 June 2026 to foster long-term environmental stewardship.
The message of the Day will be delivered by the District Commissioner Mr Lesiela on 17 June 2026
Foley is in Tonota District.

• Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
• Location: Foley Village, Tonota District (along the A1 Road)
• Global Theme: “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.”
• Format: Strict field-based diagnostic layout, entirely omitting marquee tents, lavish catering, and elaborate administrative protocols.
• Attendance: Capped at fewer than 100 participants, focusing purely on local farmers, community leadership, and technical officers.

Watch the Space for more as we continue with information sharing.

05/06/2026

GAYO Botswana Represented at Commonwealth Youth Multilateral Negotiations Training in London

The Youth Climate Council Botswana Coordinator is currently participating in the Commonwealth Youth Multilateral Negotiations Training at Marlborough House, Pall Mall, Commonwealth Headquarters in London.

The training, running from 3rd June 2026, brings together 48 participants including 36 Commonwealth youth representatives. It is supported by the Australian Deputy High Commission and the Türkiye High Commission in their capacity as COP31 Presidency and co-hosts.

Our Coordinator was nominated by the UNCCD Focal Point and Director of Forestry and Range Resources, Baitshepi Edith Babusi-Hill, building on a year of in-country preparation with the Department of Meteorological Services (UNFCCC Focal Point), the Multilateral Agreement Team, and legal experts in Botswana.

Key sessions have included:

· Opening remarks by Ms Elisabeth Bowes PSM (Australian Deputy High Commissioner) and Mr Osman Koray Ertaş (Türkiye High Commissioner)
· Online remarks by Sally Higgins (COP Presidency Youth Climate Champion, COP31) and Gianluca Crispi (UN Climate Change Legal Officer)
· Session 1: Climate, Biodiversity, and Land Science Fundamentals – covering the Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD), biodiversity facets, land degradation neutrality, and the Rio Trio Initiative launched at UNCCD COP16 (2024)

Participants are mastering the mechanics of global environmental governance, including decoding bracketed text in resolutions, strategic agenda analysis, and drafting positions for negotiations.

The insights gained will be shared across the local YCC Botswana and YCCGAnetworks through specialized skills-transfer calls to empower the next generation of Batswana negotiators.

GAYO Botswana extends gratitude to the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Australian and Türkiye Embassies, and the Botswana UNCCD Focal Point for this opportunity.

25/05/2026

25/05/2026

A re nne re ba amogele. Re tsamaela gone koo. Welcome to the DFRR family

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

12/05/2026

12/05/2026

À happy birthday to our colleague Budzanani Nsoso.