Petaluma a finalist for a ‘prestigious’ nationwide recognition

Petaluma is one of 20 finalists for the All-America City Award, which will be presented in June in Denver, Colorado.

BY JENNIFER SAWHNEY
May 8, 2025 | PETALUMA ARGUS-COURIER

Angelo Silva of Daily Acts, right, explains grey water systems during River Clean Up Day on Saturday, May 3, 2014. (File photo)

For the first time ever, Petaluma is a finalist for a prestigious nationwide recognition to honor civic innovation, engagement and collaboration, with this year’s focus on strengthening environmental sustainability.

The All-America City Award, given by the National Civic League, highlights communities doing exceptional work via “inclusive civic engagement to address critical issues and create stronger connections among residents, businesses and nonprofit and government leaders,” according to its website.

This year’s theme is “Strengthening Environmental Sustainability through Inclusive Community Engagement” with the award recognizing the “pivotal role” of civic engagement and collaboration to further environmental sustainability while mitigating of climate change’s impacts, according to the National Civic League’s website.

“This is a tremendous honor, not just for our city, but for all of us who call Petaluma home and contribute to the fabric of our exceptional community,” said Mayor Kevin McDonnell, adding that the honor comes at a time “when the importance of good government is so much in the spotlight.”

In its application, the city highlighted its “commitment to community-driven climate action and inclusive civic engagement,” via numerous community partnerships.

One such partnership is with nonprofit Daily Acts’ Petaluma Equitable Climate Action Coalition, which helped shape city transportation policy by bolstering the voices of residents most impacted by the city’s transportation systems and climate change.

2025 All-America City
Award Finalists

Akron, Ohio
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Austin, Texas
Carrboro, North Carolina
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Delray Beach, Florida
Denver, Colorado
Hampton, Virginia
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Kinston, North Carolina
Leominster, Massachusetts
Memphis, Tennessee
Petaluma, California
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Seattle, Washington
Snyder, Texas
Statesboro, Georgia
Tallahassee, Florida
Western Riverside Region, California

Plants waiting to be put into the landscape by volunteers at the Polly Klaas Community Theatre in Petaluma.

“For 19 years Daily Acts has been blessed to partner with the city and this incredible community on innovative climate, water, and sustainability programs that show what’s possible through the power of working together,” said Trathen Heckman, Daily Acts’ executive director. “It’s incredible to see in the last six years how this community has rallied around bold, collaborative climate action and it’s an honor to represent so much good work by so many Petalumans this summer.”

Another partnership is with the award-winning Sustainable Design Assistance Team of the Architects Foundation (formerly with the American Institute of Architects), which include a group of experts to help address “key local issues.”

In the city’s case, the team has supported the General Plan update to help create a vision for an “equitable, carbon neutral city,” according to past plan documents, with a focus on “improving mobility, increasing connectivity, creating 15-minute neighborhoods, and decarbonizing the community.”

“Petaluma has developed a collaborative vision of becoming a connected, sustainable city where every resident enjoys a high quality of life,” according to a press release.

Other efforts in this vein include the “re-envisioning” of the Petaluma Fairgrounds to involve “a broad spectrum of voices.”

Petaluma is among 20 finalists, of which 10 will receive awards. A delegation of city staff and community members will head to Denver, Colorado for this year’s award ceremony, to be held June 27 to 29.

An independent panel of experts led the “competitive review process,” with the 20 finalists distinguishing themselves “through their commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability, using inclusive community engagement to create lasting, impactful solutions,” according to the release.

Since the award was started in 1949, over 500 cities have received the recognition. Santa Rosa won this distinction in 1983 and 2007, with other nearby winners including Vallejo (1959), Marin County (1960) and San Francisco (2012).

You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer Sawhney at 707-521-5346 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @sawhney_media.