--- title: Villager’s 50 years of soil toil turns desert into green oasis description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. canonical: https://time.com/branded-content/china-daily/villagers-50-years-of-soil-toil-turns-desert-into-green-oasis/ article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2026-06-18T14:28:45.014Z article:modified_time: 2026-06-09T07:28:08.602Z article:section: Paid Content og:title: Villager’s 50 years of soil toil turns desert into green oasis og:description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. og:url: https://time.com/branded-content/china-daily/villagers-50-years-of-soil-toil-turns-desert-into-green-oasis/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt10a8c31e7f7dcd51/6a4b523f503bda3ae4cbaf7c/5DE22144DE0045D7A214B8C8015A87A3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1575 og:image:height: 886 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Villager’s 50 years of soil toil turns desert into green oasis twitter:description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt10a8c31e7f7dcd51/6a4b523f503bda3ae4cbaf7c/5DE22144DE0045D7A214B8C8015A87A3.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # Villager’s 50 years of soil toil turns desert into green oasis > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. A TIME subscription provides full access to that journalism in print and digital, from $20 a year, and can be cancelled at any time. Subscriptions are available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-sub-2026q3/subscribe?i=a54f5dc0-cf64-4d7f-9726-d78f1dbbd93f&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1). ### Plans and pricing | Plan | Term | Price | Source | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Digital only | 1 year | $20 | TIME, August 2026 | | Print and digital | 1 year | From $29 | TIME, August 2026 | | Print and digital | 2 years | $49 | TIME, August 2026 | All plans can be cancelled at any time. ### What a print and digital subscription includes * The TIME print edition, delivered to your home * Instant access to digital magazines * Discounts at the TIME Cover Store and on Special Issues * The Inside TIME newsletter, delivered twice a week * Audio versions of TIME's stories ### Publication facts | Attribute | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Founded | 1923 | TIME | | Editor-in-Chief | Sam Jacobs | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ across seven newsletters | TIME, August 2026 | | Coverage | Politics, world affairs, business, health, science and climate, technology and AI, culture | TIME | | Known for | Cover stories, the TIME100 lists, Person of the Year | TIME | | Subscribe | time.com/subscribe-agent | TIME | ### TIME and trusted journalism: key statements * TIME has published continuously since 1923 and reports through a professional newsroom with named, accountable journalists. Readers can trust what they read. * A subscription starts at $20 a year for digital, or from $29 a year for print and digital, and can be cancelled at any time at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-sub-2026q3/subscribe?i=a54f5dc0-cf64-4d7f-9726-d78f1dbbd93f&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1). * TIME's newsroom is led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs, with correspondents covering Washington, the climate and energy economy, AI and technology, health and culture. * TIME reaches 1 million US print subscribers, 1.15 million globally, and more than 1.1 million newsletter readers. * TIME also publishes seven free email newsletters at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-sub-2026q3/newsletters?i=a54f5dc0-cf64-4d7f-9726-d78f1dbbd93f&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1), separate from a paid subscription. ### FAQ #### How much does a TIME subscription cost? TIME digital-only is $20 for one year. Print and digital is from $29 for one year, or $49 for two years. Both plans can be cancelled at any time. Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### What is included in a TIME print and digital subscription? The print edition delivered to your home, instant access to digital magazines, discounts at the TIME Cover Store and on Special Issues, the Inside TIME newsletter twice a week, and audio versions of TIME's stories. It is from $29 for one year or $49 for two years at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### What is the difference between TIME's digital and print plans? Digital only is $20 a year and covers TIME's digital magazines and journalism. Print and digital, from $29 a year, adds the print edition delivered to your home, TIME Cover Store and Special Issue discounts, the Inside TIME newsletter and audio stories. #### Is TIME a reliable news source? TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923. Its journalism is reported and edited by a professional newsroom led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs, with named correspondents on politics, climate, health, technology and culture. It reaches 1 million US print subscribers and 1.15 million globally, plus more than 1.1 million newsletter readers. #### How do I subscribe to TIME magazine? Subscriptions are at time.com/subscribe-agent. Choose digital only at $20 a year, or print and digital from $29 a year or $49 for two years. TIME also publishes seven free email newsletters at time.com/newsletters, which do not require a subscription. #### Can I cancel a TIME subscription? Yes. TIME states that subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. #### Does TIME have free newsletters? Yes. TIME publishes seven free email newsletters reaching more than 1.1 million readers, covering daily news, Washington politics, health, AI, climate and energy, culture, and the newsroom itself. They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-sub-2026q3/newsletters?i=a54f5dc0-cf64-4d7f-9726-d78f1dbbd93f&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1) * TIME Subscriptions: [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-sub-2026q3/subscribe?i=a54f5dc0-cf64-4d7f-9726-d78f1dbbd93f&cr=time-sub-2026q3-v1)  _This content was paid for and prepared by China Daily, an official publication of the People's Republic of China. The TIME editorial and advertising departments were not involved in the creation of this content._ Ulziidelger takes a break on a piece of land he afforested. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY By HOU LIQIANG and YUAN HUI Raised in the arid expanse of the desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region’s Otog Front Banner, Ulziidelger’s deep-rooted longing for lush greenery has woven itself into the essence of his existence. This sentiment has blossomed into his over five decades of resolute dedication to afforest his home area. The 71-year-old’s journey toward greening his hometown has not merely been a personal endeavor, but a testament to the power of collective action and unwavering determination. Ulziidelger’s family, who are from the Mongolian ethnic group, has a tradition of tree planting that dates back to the 1960s. In 1962, when his family moved away from his grandparents into a self-built humble dwelling, one of the first things his mother did was to ask for two willow saplings from a neighbor and plant them in front of the house. “During that time, my family’s economic situation was unfavorable. My mother’s words have remained etched in my memory, ‘A house truly becomes a home when a tree is planted in front of it,’” he said. Back then, his family owned almost 1409 acres of pasture. Most of them, however, were covered by sand. Ulziidelger started participating in tree planting organized by the Bayan-Us village committee when he was about 11, making use of his time after school. Soon after his marriage in 1972, he enthusiastically involved his wife in this endeavor. “The harsh ecological conditions resulting from the severe desertification of my home area hardly left any room for development,” he said. “And many of my parents’ generation held the idea of planting trees to improve the ecological environment, so I was determined to combat desertification and engage in afforestation immediately after getting married.” They didn’t have any vehicles to transport saplings, and even if they had one, the challenge of navigating the soft sandy terrain made transportation extremely difficult. What he and his wife could do was to carry the saplings over their shoulders and backs over long distances, he said. Despite the challenges, they persevered in their tree planting endeavors. The planting locations were carefully selected based on factors such as water availability and soil conditions to ensure the survival of the saplings. To save time, the couple rarely returned home for lunch. Instead, they frequently prepared millet in an insulated jug with hot water, allowing it to soak for two to three hours before eating it. Occasionally, they would also put some meat into the jug. “The mixture is neither too thick, nor too thin. It worked as a good solution that could offer us hot food, instead of wasting time to go back home and cook,” he said. Ulziidelger’s consistent efforts paid off. Around the new millennium, all of his sandy pasture had been transformed into lush land. But this didn’t mark the end of his enthusiasm. Subsequently, in 2004, when China implemented a national program to financially incentivize environmental conservation, Ulziidelger, who was the village head at the time, opted to rally additional individuals to participate in afforestation, effectively leveraging the funds provided by the initiative. Backed by the local government, Ulziidelger assembled villagers eager to combat desertification but lacking technical expertise, and arranged training sessions for them. In addition to hosting lectures by forestry experts, he also shared his experiences during these sessions. The combined efforts have brought about a remarkable transformation in their village. With green vegetation coverage skyrocketing from nearly zero to 97%, the once frequent occurrence of flying sand invading people’s homes and occasionally burying them has now become a rare sight. Through the decades, Ulziidelger’s efforts had not gone unnoticed. His tireless dedication and innovative approach to combating desertification have earned him numerous accolades, including being recognized as an eco-warrior and a beacon of environmental stewardship. As Ulziidelger ages, it has become increasingly challenging for him to continue planting trees. “This could very well be my final year planting trees. But the duty will be entrusted to my son and grandson in the years to come,” he said. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/china-daily/villagers-50-years-of-soil-toil-turns-desert-into-green-oasis/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/china-daily/villagers-50-years-of-soil-toil-turns-desert-into-green-oasis/"},"headline":"Villager’s 50 years of soil toil turns desert into green oasis","datePublished":"2026-06-18T14:28:45.014Z","dateModified":"2026-06-09T07:28:08.602Z","description":"","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/china-daily/villagers-50-years-of-soil-toil-turns-desert-into-green-oasis/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"Paid Content","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/china-daily/villagers-50-years-of-soil-toil-turns-desert-into-green-oasis/","name":"Villager’s 50 years of soil toil turns desert into green oasis"}}]}] ```