PCA Grants Will Provide Up to $8 Million for Bay Area Conservation Projects

Aerial over agricultural lands in Sonoma county.

Call for Proposals Opens Oct. 30

ABAG and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), in partnership with the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), are offering up to $8 million in grants ranging from $200,000 to $1 million in the latest cycle of Priority Conservation Area (PCA) grants.

The Call for Proposals will be released on October 30, 2025. Organizations interested in applying for the grant program can attend a webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, at 12 p.m. Applications are due by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

PCAs are regionally significant areas that support protection and enhancement of the Bay Area’s natural resources, agricultural economy, recreational access and climate resilience. These areas are identified and nominated through a voluntary, locally driven process by cities, counties, and park/open space districts, and then designated by ABAG. The PCA Program advances Plan Bay Area 2050 – the region’s long-range transportation and land-use/housing plan.

PCA grant funding supports the protection, restoration, and enhancement of open space and agricultural lands; creation and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and urban greening projects like city parks and stormwater improvements; and planning to advance PCA program objectives. Eligible applicants include local governments, county transportation agencies, Tribes, water/utility districts, resource conservation districts, park and/or open space districts, land trusts and other community-based organizations and nonprofit organizations.

Visit the Priority Conservation Area grants webpage on the MTC website for details of the Call for Proposals.