A Pledge to the Future

Petaluma is taking major steps toward a more sustainable tomorrow. Here’s how to play your part.

FFor a midsize city, Petaluma has big plans to improve sustainability. Years ago, Petaluma was one of the first cities in the nation to set an urban growth boundary and limit what amounts to suburban sprawl.

More recently, the city adopted an emergency Climate Action Resolution and created a Climate Action Commission to

By Matt Villano

oversee related work. Petaluma has committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, enacted new codes for sustainable development, and declared a renewed focus on alternative transportation.

“Petaluma has really progressive climate goals that we are hoping to achieve within a short time period,” says Rhianna Frank, the city’s climate action manager. “There is so much work to be done and it’s going to [take] collaboration from us all to achieve these goals.”

Currently, the city’s commitment to sustainability focuses on the “Three Cs”— community, climate, and conservation. For instance, the Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility uses cutting-edge technology and practices to treat Petaluma’s liquid waste to

Be the Change

HERE ARE FOUR WAYS YOU CAN MAKE YOUR NEXT TRIP TO PETALUMA MORE ECO-CONSCIOUS.

protect the local watershed. It also captures solid waste that can be used to fertilize land.

Meanwhile, the city has unveiled a robust water conservation program that incorporates education and drought-tolerant landscaping support. And then there’s the Sustainability Action Plan, a collaborative effort between local industry and public agencies working together to find ways to improve sustainability in Petaluma across the board.

Another way to gauge Petaluma’s eco-conscious ethos is through the city’s philanthropic efforts and charitable community. One example: Cool Petaluma, which launched in 2022, is a grassroots effort to help neighborhoods become more planet-friendly. The nonprofit’s campaign director, Natasha Juliana, says the group’s goal is to raise awareness about sustainability and inspire action that leads to change. This is done through workshops and educational opportunities.

“We have a high density of experts, activists, and people who are working professionally in the sustainability movement here, and throughout the state and country, as well as an engaged community that is willing to jump in and get organized,” Juliana says. “We all understand that small actions done individually and privately are just a drop in the ocean, but when we start to do those collectively and publicly, then we become the ocean.”

Petaluma is home to two other nonprofit organizations raising awareness about sustainability. Point Blue Conservation Science is helping city officials develop nature-based strategies to combat climate change; while Daily Acts organizes neighborhood projects to make Petaluma more eco-friendly.

So far, these efforts appear to be working. Last year, with the help of these nonprofit partners, the city and its residents reduced water consumption by 30%. In Petaluma, it seems, the future is indeed green. •

1

Go on foot. Petaluma is one of the most walkable cities in Sonoma County. Ditch the car and get around town by foot.

2 Shop local. Petaluma has three weekly farmers markets: Tuesday mornings (yearround) at Lucchesi Park, Saturday afternoons (May–Nov.) in Walnut Park, and Thursday evenings (June–Sept.) at Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds. See page 79 for more.

3 Engage. Local nonprofits like Cool Petaluma and Daily Acts host communityfocused, grassroots events and experiences almost every weekend. Check out dailyacts.org and coolpetaluma.org for ways to pitch in.

4 Reduce and reuse. Cut down on waste—bring a reusable shopping bag for your market and boutique hauls and a refillable water bottle.

River Town

Petaluma takes its poultry pretty seriously