Tawus (may Allah have mercy on him) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The land is first for Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), then for you afterwards. So whoever revives barren land, he is the one entitled to the right over it."
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب إحياء الموات / 11784