Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Management Plan Honored with Award of Excellence

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 23, 2025) – The Sacramento Valley Section of the American Planning Association gave the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Management Plan (PDF) its Planning Excellence Award.

The 2025 APA SVS Awards “celebrate and recognize local planning superstars” and their innovative plans and projects.

“The jury was very impressed that this is the first National Heritage Area in California and appreciated the multidisciplinary nature of the plan,” said Nikki Zanchetta, APA SVS Awards Coordinator. “Several of the jury members were also impressed with how well written, organized, and engaging the document was to read.”

SVS APA’s recognition of the Management Plan “highlights the value of excellent planning in building strong and resilient communities in National Heritage Areas,” said Blake Roberts, Program Manager for the Delta Protection Commission. The DPC is the local coordinating entity for the National Heritage Area.

This is the second award bestowed on the DPC by the SVS APA. In 2018, the organization honored the DPC with its Local Vision Award for the Delta Leadership Program.

The Sacramento Valley Section will honor all 2025 award recipients on Oct. 15.