Sonoma City Council nominates priority conservation areas to enhance community green spaces

In a recent City Council meeting held on June 4, 2025, the Sonoma City Council discussed the nomination of new Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) aimed at enhancing urban greening, protecting open spaces, and expanding recreational opportunities within the city. This initiative marks a significant step for Sonoma, as it is the first time the city has nominated PCAs within its jurisdiction.

Jennifer Gates, the Director of Community Development, presented the proposal, explaining that PCAs are designated by local governments to identify specific geographic areas that meet certain conservation criteria. The city’s nomination includes four areas: Sonoma Creek, Friar Creek, Nathanson Creek, and the Regional Trail. These areas were selected based on their potential for urban greening, recreation, and climate adaptation.

The nomination process is crucial as it positions Sonoma to apply for competitive grants managed by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). These grants are intended to fund local projects that align with the identified conservation priorities. Gates emphasized that being part of the regional conservation conversation could lead to expanded green spaces and improved climate resilience for the community.

Council members engaged in discussions about the nomination criteria, with some expressing concerns about the limited scope of the nominated areas. Gates clarified that the city is constrained by regulations that prevent overlapping PCAs and require that nominated areas cover at least 75% of the designated conservation type. This limitation is particularly challenging given Sonoma's small geographical size of 2.7 square miles.

Despite some community disappointment regarding the perceived narrowness of the nominations, council members acknowledged the importance of this initial step. They expressed optimism that this could be a learning phase, allowing the city to refine its approach to future nominations and potentially expand the designated areas over time.

The council unanimously supported the resolution to nominate the four PCAs, recognizing it as a foundational move towards enhancing environmental protection and community engagement in conservation efforts. The next steps involve submitting the nominations to the regional board for approval in July, paving the way for Sonoma to access funding opportunities that could significantly benefit local conservation projects.