Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) | Metropolitan Transportation Commission Thursday, April 16, 2026 Update Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) continue the Bay Area’s century-long commitment to parks, farmland, open spaces and ecosystems. Credit Karl Nielsen 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 nominated by local jurisdictions with land use authority (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 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 PCA Mapping Viewer Visualize the most up-to-date PCA information including locations and types. See the PCA Mapping Viewer. 2025 PCA Nominations & Amendments In September 2025, PCAs were amended and new nominations approved to align with the updated PCA Framework Refresh. The Refresh strengthens PCA consistency, equity and climate resilience across the Bay Area. Amendments: 173 existing PCAs led by 37 local agencies were amended, while 12 required no changes. Nominations: 69 new PCAs were nominated by 15 jurisdictions, covering about 130,000 acres. The amendment and nomination process provided direct engagement with local government staff supported by tools, mapping assistance, and office hours. For more details, see the approved 9/12/2025 ABAG Administrative Committee item and 9/18/2025 ABAG Executive Board item. Additional Details 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 Frequently Asked Questions Where can I find maps of PCAs? Review all PCAs on the PCA Mapping Viewer. When can I nominate a new PCA? The most recent opportunity to nominate a PCA was the spring 2025 nomination cycle, which is now closed. There are no near-term plans for the next call. Please check the back for details on the next PCA nomination cycle. 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. 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 Do I still need to locally nominate an area as a PCA if it is marked as a Regionally Identified PCA? The "Regionally Identified PCAs” shown on the PCA Mapping Viewer were created by ABAG during the PCA Refresh process to pinpoint lands with regional connectivity or significance for each PCA type. These areas serve the same planning and policy purposes as Locally Nominated PCAs but do not qualify for grant funding unless they are also locally nominated (learn more about Regionally Identified PCAs in the PCA Refresh Final Report, page 16). While Regionally Identified PCAs can help guide local PCA nominations, their absence does not prevent an area from being nominated. Jurisdictions are encouraged to nominate Regionally Identified PCAs if they align with local priorities. If I would like to apply for a PCA Grant in a PCA, do I have to be the PCA Lead? No, you do not need to be the PCA Lead to apply for a PCA Grant. Any eligible applicant and qualifying activity can apply. For more details, visit the PCA Grants website. What is new about PCAs? In May 2024, the ABAG Executive Board approved reforms to the PCA framework as part of the PCA Refresh, marking the first substantial changes since its creation in 2007. The two-year PCA Refresh process culminated in a Final Report , which introduced new minimum data criteria to improve regional cohesion across PCA geographies. Staff Contact For questions about PCA nominations, please contact: Kate Lyons, Regional Planning Program Email: klyons@bayareametro.gov PCA Grants MTC and ABAG, working with the State Coastal Conservancy, have a PCA grants program. Learn more about PCA Grants. Regional Planning PCAs are a key element of Plan Bay Area 2050+, the region’s long-term transportation and land use plan. Visit PlanBayArea.org. 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. Priority Conservation Area Related Documents Priority Conservation Area Refresh Final Report 2.41 MB pdf Priority Conservation Area Refresh Interim Memo 59.5 MB pdf Priority Conservation Area Refresh - Interim Memo (less formatting) 2.51 MB pdf Exploring the Future of Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) 204.71 KB pdf Presentation: Exploring the Future of Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) 4.12 MB pdf Digital Library Priority Development Areas (PDAs) Priority Development Areas are places near public transit that are planned for new homes, jobs and community amenities. Learn about PDAs. Learn About PCA Grants See details on funded projects, maps and more. Visit the PCA grants storymap website. Technical Assistance The Technical Assistance Portal has a variety of resources for local agency staff. Visit abag.ca.gov.