Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs)
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) continue the Bay Area’s century-long commitment to parks, farmland, open spaces and ecosystems.
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are regionally significant areas to be protected and improved. PCAs include natural habitats, farms and ranchlands, recreation areas, urban green spaces and locations that can help fight the effects of climate change.
PCAs are essential to a healthy and resilient Bay Area. When an area has been designated as a PCA, it supports the work of local governments and partners in meeting important regional goals such as:
- Supporting local food systems
- Ecosystem biodiversity of plants and animals
- Fire or flood protection
- Recreation opportunities
- A safe water supply
- Cleaner air and carbon sequestration
PCAs include nature preserves, public open spaces, farms, ranches, trails and include areas that would benefit from new or enhanced urban parks, urban greening, or nature-based climate adaptation solutions.
PCAs are nominated by local jurisdictions (such as open space districts, city and county parks and recreation departments, and other local entities) and adopted by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). More than 180 existing PCAs have been adopted by ABAG.
Sign up for the PCA Mailing List at the bottom of this page.
Five Types of PCAs
PCAs are categorized by five designations that recognize the vitality of the Bay Area’s natural systems, rural economy and the health of all residents:
- Natural Lands
- Agricultural & Working lands
- Urban Greening
- Recreation
- Climate Adaptation
Additional Details
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I nominate a new PCA?
The next opportunity to nominate new PCAs will likely occur in late 2024 or in 2025, after the existing PCAs have gone through an amendment process in 2024.
What types of agencies/organizations are eligible to apply for PCAs?
Cities, counties and park/open space districts are eligible to apply to ABAG for PCA designation. Federal and state agencies, as well as non-profit organizations, are not eligible to apply, but may work with local jurisdictions or park/open space districts to encourage a PCA application to ABAG. The application period for new PCAs is currently closed.
Is a PCA a land use designation? Does it change the local zoning requirements or restrict development rights?
No. A PCA designation does not in any way change the land use status for a piece of property. The local jurisdiction maintains planning and permitting authority over the property, and private property owners maintain their development rights.
Can PCAs be designated on private property?
Yes. Designation of a PCA on private property does not change the local land use designation, zoning or the ability for the property to be developed in the future.
Is the PCA designation process also a grant program?
No. The PCA designation process creates a list of areas that have the potential for conservation, enhancement, restoration and public access. Specific projects within these designated PCAs may be eligible for future funding from the PCA Grant Program.
PCA Framework Refresh
MTC and ABAG were awarded a grant from the Sustainable Agricultural Lands and Conservation (SALC) Program managed by the California Department of Conservation to support a refresh of the PCA planning framework. The refresh effort kicked off in June 2022 and concluded in May 2024.
It identified recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the region’s conservation planning framework, and incorporated a wider range of policy concerns, such as equity and resilience to climate hazards.
Priority Conservation Area Refresh Final Report
The PCA Final Report laid out a suite of reforms to the PCA planning framework and was adopted by the ABAG Executive Board in May 2024. The Final Report synthesizes the strengths and weaknesses of the prior planning framework and includes an updated vision, goals and objectives for PCAs, as well as corresponding eligibility maps to bring greater structure to the framework.
- Read the Priority Conservation Area Refresh Final Report
- Explore the Priority Conservation Area Refresh Online Mapping Viewer
- Read the Priority Conservation Area Refresh Interim Memo for more background on the PCA Refresh process and investigation into the prior framework
Staff Contact
For questions about the PCA Refresh, please contact:
Michael Germeraad, Regional Planning Program
Email: mgermeraad@bayareametro.gov
Nomination Cycles
There have been four prior nomination cycles since the PCA planning framework was originally developed in 2007. In spring 2024, the PCA planning framework was updated to establish program objectives and data indicators, resulting in the need to amend designated PCAs to align with the updated framework. After the existing PCAs are amended in 2024, a nomination cycle for new PCAs will begin, likely in late 2024 or in 2025.
Visit the PCA Refresh Mapping Viewer to view the existing PCAs and supporting PCA mapping layers.
MTC and ABAG, working with the State Coastal Conservancy, have a PCA grants program.
PCAs are a key element of Plan Bay Area 2050+, the region’s long-term transportation and land use plan.
Sign up for the PCA Mailing List
Sign up for the Priority Conservation Areas mailing list to receive updates on PCA grants, application deadlines and more.