In 2011 the City of Petaluma and the Agriculture and Open Space District purchased the 11.2 acres of the Paula Lane Preserve through a matching grant agreement. This preserve is nestled in the middle of a residential neighborhood, and was an enticing site for developers. The Paula Lane neighbors, ecosystem and all that benefit from its ecology are grateful that this site is protected in perpetuity!
In 2019 the City brought Daily Acts in to the agreement to help fulfill the remaining deliverables of conserving on-site water, installing a trail, designing and installing an agricultural demonstration garden, and opening up the preserve to the public. While the novel COVID-19 virus presented obstacles to completing work, Daily Acts adapted accordingly and got creative with how the community would be engaged, and how work would be completed. Daily Acts set out to engage neighbors by developing a webpage that outlined the context and ecological value of the site, the goals for the property, and a survey for community members to provide feedback. Through canvassing the neighborhood and conversations with local neighbors, Daily Acts was able to host 2 socially distanced listening sessions on the preserve where Daily Acts and City of Petaluma staff met with neighbors to discuss the scope of work to be expected on site, opportunities for volunteering and engagement, and to discuss concerns about the property and wildlife.
On November 21st 2020, 10 neighbors came out to volunteer for a morning of sheet mulching 1,050 square feet of space. This was the first step of developing the agricultural demonstration garden; the sheet mulch process will support water retention, weed suppression and will improve soil quality as material breaks down.
Prior to each program Daily Acts and the City worked with wildlife biologists to monitor the site and ensure that work would not be disturbing any Badger dens.
