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What We Do

Downtown Action Organization (DAO) Initiatives

With Clean & Safe programs, various efforts to beautify Downtown's public realm, and marketing downtown businesses and events, the DAO team provides a wide range of work to improve Downtown Santa Rosa.

Call or text (707) 921-0275 for service
CLEAN & SAFE TEAM
The Clean & Safe Team is a dedicated resource for Downtown businesses and residents. The Clean & Safe program, operated by Block By Block, provides sanitation, maintenance, landscaping and safety support for those who live and work Downtown. From sidewalk sweeping to graffiti abatement, landscaping and quality of life outreach, the Clean & Safe team provides essential services for the Downtown community. Available 365 days a year, the Clean & Safe team is reached by calling or texting (707) 921-0275 for support.
Program Details

May 2026 by the Numbers

314
Graffiti Cleanings
text example
3550
Pounds of Trash
1120
Plants Watered

NATIVE PLANTERS

In partnership with the Milo Baker Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, the District has replanted 50 planters on 4th Street with native and pollinator plants. These planters are maintained by the District.

Learn About Native Species

Achillea millefolium
Common Yarrow
  • A hardy perennial herb known for its feathery leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers
  • Thrives in poor soil and full sun
  • Blooms in spring through early fall
  • Traditionally used for wound healing and digestive support
  • Attracts pollinators
Fragaria chiloensis "Chaval"
Beach Strawberry
  • A native perennial groundcover known for its small, sweet berries and white flowers
  • Beach native that occurs all around the Pacific Rim
  • Blooms in spring through early summer
  • Edible for humans and birds
  • Attracts pollinators
Clinopodium douglasii
Yerba Buena
  • A native perennial herb known for its aromatic, mint-scented leaves and clusters of small white to pale lavender flowers
  • Blooms in summer
  • Traditionally used by Indigenous people for medicinal and ceremonial purposes
  • Attracts pollinators
Ribes sanguineum
Red-flowering currant
  • A native deciduous shrub known for its clusters of bright red, tubular flowers
  • Blooms in late winter to early spring
  • Attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies
Epilobium canum
California fuchsia
  • A native evergreen shrub known for its slender red flowers
  • Drought tolerant once established
  • Blooms nearly year-round with peaks in spring and fall
  • Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal and ceremonial purposes
  • Attracts pollinators
Festuca idahoensis "Tomales Bay"
Idaho Fescue
  • A native perennial bunchgrass known for its fine, blue-green foliage and upright clumping habit
  • Thrives in dry, rocky soils
  • Drought tolerant once established
  • Provides habitat and cover for wildlife and assists with erosion control
Arctostaphylos manzanita
“Sebastopol White” Manzanita
  • An evergreen shrub or small tree known for its smooth red back, small leaves and pink or white bell shaped flowers
  • Blooms winter through spring
  • Wide range of uses for edible berries, leaves and wood
  • Attracts pollinators and birds
Diplacus aurantiacus
Bush Monkeyflower
  • A native perennial herb known for its bright yellow to orange flowers with red or purple spots
  • Thrives in moist areas
  • Blooms in spring through fall with a peak in late spring and summer
  • Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal purposes
  • Attracts pollinators
Monardella villosa
Coyote Mint
  • A native perennial herb known for its aromatic, fuzzy leaves and clusters of small lavender to white flowers
  • Blooms in spring and summer
  • Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for medicinal and ceremonial purposes
  • Attracts pollinators
Eriophyllum lanatum
Common Wooly Sunflower
  • A native perennial shrub known for its soft, silvery leaves and cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers
  • Blooms in spring and summer
  • Drought tolerant once established
  • Attracts pollinators and native wildlife
Lupinus Albifrons
Silver Bush Lupine
  • A native member of the pea family known for its attractive silver-green leaves
  • Blooms in spring with large flower spikes ranging in color from pale blue to deep purple
  • Attracts pollinators, especially bees.
Juncus Patens
Common Rush
  • A grass native to wet, marshy areas of California
  • Grass like evergreen perennial known for upright growth and distinctive flowering stems
  • Excellent in lawn replacement applications
Erigeron glaucus "Wayne Roderick”
Beach Aster
  • Perennial plant in the Daisy family native to the coastline of California
  • Long flowering season with blooms in shades of lavender and pink with large yellow centers
  • Heat tolerant and should be planted in sunny areas
  • Attractive to butterflies and bees
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
  • Grass native to much of North America
  • Flower clusters are nearly cylindrical and hold shiny tan spikelets
  • Good forage for grazing animals
Grindelia stricta “Mendocino”
Oregon Gumweed
  • Native to coastal areas with marshes and beaches
  • Variable in appearance with foliage and stems a green to rusty red or purplish color and yellow flowers
  • Traditionally used by indigenous people as adhesive
Grindelia Camporum
Great Valley Gumweed
  • Native plant in the daisy family
  • Hardy plant that grows in a variety of environments
  • Major pollinator attractant
  • Traditionally used by Indigenous people for medicinal purposes
Salvia clevelandii "Winifred Gillman”
Cleveland Sage
  • Small, evergreen shrub in the mint family
  • Fragrant grey-green leaves with whorls of purple or blue flowers
  • Major pollinator attractant, especially during summer months
Heuchera maxima
Island Alum Root
  • Perennial flowering herb in the saxifrage family
  • Evergreen plant with tiny white-pink blossoms in clusters during winter and spring
  • Beloved by hummingbirds
Frangula californica
California Coffeeberry
  • Dense evergreen shrub that is easy to grow
  • Flowers are inconspicuous, small and greenish-white with color changing fruit
  • Fruit attracts a variety of bird species

SIDEWALK TREES

The DAO helps replace sidewalk trees in the District thanks to ReLeaf Santa Rosa. Nearly 70 trees have been planted since the District began addressing dead and dying sidewalk trees.

Sidewalk Trees Program 

Cercis canadensis
Eastern Redbud
Ginkgo Biloba
Gingko
Lagerstroemia
Crape Myrtle
Sequoia sempervirens | Not Currently Planting
Coastal Redwood

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

The DAO manages downtownsantarosa.org (this website!) and provides free listings to all businesses within the Downtown District boundaries. With up to date event listings, guides for locals and visitors and event highlights, downtownsantarosa.org is the place to find out all about what’s happening Downtown. The DAO also manages facebook and instagram profiles @downtownsantarosa to help highlight Downtown businesses.

PAST PROJECTS

Wildflower Wayfinders
Starting in 2020, the DAO worked with mosaic artist Angelina Duckett to install mosaics in old tree wells on 4th Street. Two additional mosaics will be added in 2026, with more to follow in the next few years.
Wayfinding
In 2024 the DAO installed Wayfinding signage in Downtown Santa Rosa to help pedestrians connect with points of interest in the area. Signage is regularly updated and maintained.
Courthouse Square Planters & Banners
In 2025, the Downtown Action Organization partnered with the City of Santa Rosa to add colorful banners and floral planters to Courthouse Square. The planters, which contain pelargonium, are also maintained by the Clean & Safe team.