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City of Petaluma is a Finalist for the 2025 All-America City Award
Petaluma is one of twenty finalists for the honor from the National Civic League, which will be awarded in Denver, CO, this June.
April 7, 2025 – The City of Petaluma is honored to announce that it has been chosen as a finalist for the All-America City Award, given by the National Civic League.
For over 75 years, the All-America City Award has highlighted and celebrated outstanding civic innovation, recognizing communities that harness the power of local collaboration to drive meaningful change. Each year, cities, towns, counties, and regions nationwide apply for this prestigious recognition, showcasing how their civic capital—the relationships, networks, and capacities that enable problem-solving and resilience—fuels progress.
This year’s twenty finalists have distinguished themselves through their commitment to strengthening environmental sustainability, using inclusive community engagement to create lasting, impactful solutions. Finalists were chosen through a competitive review process led by an independent panel of experts, with each application evaluated on the criteria of shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact.
“Communities thrive when all residents have a voice in the policies and decisions that shape their lives. This year’s finalists are leading the way by removing barriers to participation and implementing programs that foster sustainability, resilience, and inclusive engagement,” said Doug Linkhart, President of the National Civic League.
Petaluma’s application for the All-America City Award highlighted the city’s strong commitment to community-driven climate action and inclusive civic engagement. Through partnerships with organizations such as Daily Act’s Petaluma Equitable Climate Action Coalition (PECAC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Communities by Design Sustainable Design Assistance Team (SDAT), Petaluma has developed a collaborative vision of becoming a connected, sustainable city where every resident enjoys a high quality of life. Efforts like the re-envisioning of the Petaluma Fairgrounds further demonstrate the power of actively involving a broad spectrum of voices—including residents from all backgrounds—to drive transformative change. This recognition as an All-America City finalist underscores the powerful impact of inclusive, collaborative efforts in addressing climate change, promoting equity, and building a stronger future for everyone.
“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 6 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 in Denver at the All-America City Awards Competition.”
“We could not be more #Petalumaproud of Petaluma’s recognition as an All-America City at a time when the importance of good government is so much in the spotlight,” said Mayor Kevin McDonnell. “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.”
Finalist cities will now begin preparing for the next stage of the competition—the All-America City Award Event in Denver, CO, from June 27-29—where they will present their stories of success and showcase the impact of their initiatives. Following the presentations, the winners will be announced at a culminating ceremony.
To learn more about the 2025 AAC Award, visit https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/america-city-award/.
Contact Rebecca Trout, Director, All-America City Award, with questions about the awards at [email protected]. For other inquiries, contact Jamieson Bunn, Communications Program Manager, City of Petaluma, at [email protected].